Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 11th July 2025

Educational farm classroom now open in Northants following two years of ‘hard work and hurdles’

An educational farm classroom has finally opened in Northamptonshire following two years of “hard work and hurdles” to get this from an idea to reality. The Countryside Kitchen officially opened its doors on Tuesday (July 8), with an event that brought together schools, community groups and sponsors.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 11th July 2025

Northants woman launched chemo kits business following cancer diagnosis to spread joy to others

A Northamptonshire woman launched a business offering chemotherapy kits following her own breast cancer diagnosis, to spread joy to others at what she knows is a difficult time. Chemo Kits was launched by Emma Charlton in January and she offers gift boxes designed to bring comfort, encouragement and practical support to those undergoing chemotherapy.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th July 2025

Founder ‘blown away’ by ‘incredible’ response to launch of family-run vineyard at ‘one of the best sites’

The co-founder says she is “blown away” by the “incredible” response to the launch of a family-run vineyard, at what has been described as “one of the best sites in the country”. Croxford Wine Estates, nestled in a 24-acre vineyard located just outside of Brixworth, was planted in 2020 and taken over by William Croxford and Tor Robinson in 2023.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th July 2025

Festival organiser proud to welcome more than 2,000 people to celebrate what the county has to offer

The organiser of a festival was proud to welcome more than 2,000 people to celebrate the best of Northamptonshire last month. Solstice Festival, which provided a day of family fun and creativity on the longest day of the year, took place at Duston Mill on June 21.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th July 2025

Long-standing Northampton barber shop proud to be ‘fully booked’ and aims to get ‘bigger and better’

The owner of a long-standing Northampton barber shop is proud to “always be fully booked”, with the aim of making the business “bigger and better” as time goes on. G’s Barbers, located in Billing Garden Village, is a female-owned venture offering all aspects of gents barbering services – from haircuts to face shaves.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 9th July 2025

Former soft play centre which reopened as venue hire business has had ‘better reviews than expected’

The owner of a former soft play centre, which reopened as an occasion venue hire business at the start of May, says it has had “better reviews than expected”. Zoomania, which evolved from Hullabaloo and opened in Gladstone Road in 2020, closed for the final time in April.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 9th July 2025

Dog care business pleased to collaborate with Northants charity to find adorable pooch forever home

A dog care business is over the moon to be collaborating with a Northamptonshire charity, which has already helped an adorable pooch to find his forever home. Teddy’s Dog Care, in Newport Pagnell Road, was founded by Michelle Wilson in 2010 after she adopted her pug Teddy – who inspired her to expand her love and care to more dogs across the county.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 9th July 2025

Meet the artist who creatively recycles waste to give it new meaning and currently has an exhibition here

Meet the artist who creatively recycles waste to give it new meaning and currently has an exhibition on display in Northampton. Val Hunt, a creative recycling artist, has an exhibition called ‘Endangered and Extinct’ on display at the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery until August 9.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 8th July 2025

Owner reflects on ‘homely and cosy’ cafe’s first two years open following rebrand in Northampton

A business owner has reflected on her “homely and cosy” cafe’s first two years open following its rebrand in Northampton. The Courtyard Cafe, in Kent Road, formerly existed as part of St Crispin Retail Village as the Tick Tock Cafe Bar.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 8th July 2025

‘I’m so lucky to do what I love, I’ll never take it for granted,’ says multi-award-winning jeweller

A multi-award-winning jeweller from Northampton admits she feels lucky to do what she loves and will never take her business journey for granted. Silver jewellery maker Steph Davies founded Scruffy Dog Silver in 2011, and was named best jeweller in the county for two consecutive years at the Northants Life Awards in 2023 and 2024.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 8th July 2025

‘Amazing’ first four months for luxury and cruelty-free candle company after launching shop

It has been an “amazing” first four months for a luxury and cruelty-free candle company after opening its shop and welcoming the public from March this year. Lyss & Vay Candle Co. was launched in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 by Janene Francis, who had worked in the corporate property industry for around two decades prior to then.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 7th July 2025

Strictly star left ‘speechless’ by kindness of Northampton town centre business ahead of show

A Northampton town centre business opened especially for a Strictly Come Dancing star ahead of her show at a nearby theatre that evening. Grandbies, which opened in St Giles’ Street in August 2023, aimed to create a Scandinavian-inspired haven with a coffee house, clothing boutique and a space for the community to gather under one roof.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 7th July 2025

Resident seeking answers after ‘drastic removal’ of park trees as parish council issues response

A resident is seeking answers following the alleged “drastic removal” of trees along the border of a park by Duston Parish Council, who have issued their response. It was reported to this newspaper that contractors working for Duston Parish Council cut down saplings planted along the St Luke’s Playing Field border with Sussex Close.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 7th July 2025

‘I dined at one of Northampton town centre’s newest foodie hotspots – here’s what I made of it’

I dined at one of Northampton town centre’s newest foodie hotspots, and here is what I made of it. Mission Chicken was opened by brothers Matt and James Ingram at the former Buddies Diner site in Dychurch Lane at the end of May.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 3rd July 2025

Northampton blogger reveals venue she believes is going to make it ‘huge’ this summer

A Northampton blogger has revealed the venue she believes is going to make it “huge” this summer, as well as the food and drink establishments she will be frequenting. Chanelle Bradshaw, who is known to her Instagram followers as @food.and.frolics, set up her page in September 2019 after being made redundant from her former role at Avon.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 3rd July 2025

‘Amazing’ first nine months for cafe-bar that hoped to bring new lease of life to town centre venue

It has been an “amazing” first nine months for the team behind a cafe-bar, who hoped to bring a new lease of life to a venue in Northampton’s Cultural Quarter. Lola’s Bar, located on the corner of Guildhall Road and Swan Street, opened to the public in September last year.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 3rd July 2025

Tidy Our Town: Volunteer praises ‘proactive’ Reform cabinet member and hopes WNC don’t face ‘uphill struggle’

A Northants Litter Womble has praised a West Northamptonshire Council cabinet member as “proactive” and shared his hope that the local authority does not face an “uphill struggle”. Volunteer Mark Watson said that Councillor Nigel Stansfield, the new cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste, reached out to the Northants Litter Wombles and organised a three-hour meeting to discuss the issues of littering and fly tipping.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 2nd July 2025

'Quintessential gem': Northants shopping village proud to only house independent businesses following rapid expansion

A popular rural shopping centre continues to go from strength to strength now boasting around 25 independent businesses. Heart of the Shires Shopping Village is located in Watling Street, just north of Weedon, and The 1867 eatery is located in its Victorian courtyard.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 2nd July 2025

Multi-award-winning sweet business proud to be available on long haul British Airways flights

The founder of a multi-award-winning sweet business established in Northampton is proud that her products are now available on long haul British Airways flights. Sweet Lounge, a vegan confectionary brand with plastic-free packaging, was founded by Greta McDonald in Brixworth more than a decade ago in 2014.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 2nd July 2025

Business owner offering ‘home away from home’ for dogs remains ‘very busy’ ahead of move

A business owner offering a “home away from home” environment for dogs remains “very busy” ahead of its move to a larger premises later this year. The Little Pooch House, which provides a small to medium dog boarding, walking and sitting service in Abington Vale, was launched by Nichole Clark in November 2023.