Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th May 2026

Michael Thompson: 55-year-old murder accused treated like ‘bereaved spouse’ after ‘fooling’ police with ‘fakery’

A 55-year-old Northampton man accused of the rape and murder of his former partner was treated like a “bereaved spouse” after fooling police with “fakery” that made it appear like a suicide or a tragic accident, say the prosecution. Michael Thompson, of Pinewood Road, pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson on August 9, 2025.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th May 2026

Michael Thompson: 55-year-old ‘tracked’, ‘abused’ and ‘brutalised’ ex-partner for decade before alleged rape and murder

A 55-year-old Northampton man “tracked”, “abused” and “brutalised” his former partner for more than a decade before he allegedly raped and murdered her, a jury heard as the prosecution opened the trial. Michael Thompson, of Pinewood Road, Northampton, pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson – who was found dead on August 9, 2025.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd May 2026

Home security specialist from Northampton shares burglary prevention advice ahead of summer holiday season

A home security specialist and business owner from Northampton has shared his burglary prevention advice ahead of the summer holiday season. Shaun Miller says many homes are unfortunately left vulnerable to opportunistic break-ins, which cause financial loss and a long-lasting emotional impact that can leave families feeling unsafe.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd May 2026

Brothers behind Northants countryside retreat set to launch co-working space blending work and wellbeing

The brothers behind a Northamptonshire countryside retreat are launching a new co-working space which blends work and wellbeing this summer. George and Josh Taylor have reimagined their family’s former dairy farm into The Shire, designed for authentic connection, relaxation and escapism.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd May 2026

Family-run Northants visitor attraction welcomes community to celebrate ‘heritage, charm and character’

A popular family-run visitor attraction in Northamptonshire recently welcomed the community to celebrate its “heritage, charm and character”. Jeyes of Earls Barton, located on The Square, hosted its first ‘Events Inspiration’ networking event earlier in the month, which brought businesses and event professionals together to showcase its offering.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st May 2026

Michael Thompson: Jury sworn in as 55-year-old Northampton man stands trial for alleged rape and murder of former partner

A jury has been sworn in today (Thursday May 21) as the trial begins for a 55-year-old Northampton man accused of the rape and murder of his former partner. Michael Thompson, of Pinewood Road, pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson – who was found dead at a home in Pinewood Road on August 9, 2025.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st May 2026

Tidy Our Town: Major supermarket apologises after complaints of around 20 trolleys in park water gulley

A major supermarket has issued an apology following complaints of around 20 trolleys in a gulley of water that runs through a Northampton country park. Volunteers from the Northants Litter Wombles and JAM - Helping Out raised concerns about the issue at Hunsbury Hill Country Park, which is nearby to Tesco Extra in Clannell Road.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st May 2026

Knife crime in Northampton: ‘Parents are frightened to let their kids out and don’t know who to turn to’

A 63-year-old Northampton man is hosting an event with the aim of bringing families and communities together who have been impacted by knife and gun crime across the UK. Talking to the Chronicle & Echo, Peter Paraskevas says he has seen firsthand that parents are frightened to let their kids out and do not know who to turn to as a result of the level of knife crime in Northampton.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st May 2026

Owner of two quirky gift shops grateful to even be shortlisted for ‘independent gift retailer of the year’

The owner of two quirky gift shops across Northamptonshire is grateful to have even been shortlisted for ‘independent gift retailer of the year’ across the Midlands and Wales, despite not taking the crown. Lindsey Scott-Walker established Feather Robins Gifts in St Crispin Retail Village in September 2022, in the hope of becoming a one stop shop for all customers’ gifting needs.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 20th May 2026

CEO shares ‘great sense of pride’ as invaluable Northants hospice celebrates 50 years of unwavering care

A CEO has shared her “great sense of pride” as this invaluable Northamptonshire hospice is celebrating 50 years of unwavering care in the community. Maya Joseph-Hussain joined the Cynthia Spencer Hospice team in June last year, having been a resident in the county for nearly 14 years and the former director of another hospice.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 20th May 2026

Passionate Northampton business owner proudly celebrates a decade and says team is her proudest achievement

A passionate business owner from Northampton is proudly celebrating a decade and says building a strong team is her proudest achievement of the past 10 years. Emma Speirs launched Ballyhoo PR in May 2016, having left her former role working for an agency after she went from full-time to part-time hours to accommodate family life.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 20th May 2026

We Mean Business: ‘If I had to give one word it would be share – it’s incredibly hard to get yourself seen’

A teacher-turned-business-owner, who now offers yoga and mindfulness to young people, has shared how difficult it is to get new ventures seen by the masses. Launched in February, the Chronicle & Echo’s latest campaign hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across the town.

Northampton Chronicle and Echo • 19th May 2026

I visited an award-winning 3 AA Rosette restaurant in Northamptonshire – here’s how the fine dining experience stacked up

It’s not every Friday evening that you get to visit an award-winning 3 AA Rosette restaurant on your doorstep in Northamptonshire – and here’s how my fine dining experience went. Murrays at Whittlebury Park reopened in 2017 and offers an intimate and relaxed setting for fine dining, which promises to combine understated elegance with a focus on quality food and service.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th May 2026

It’s time to nominate your favourite businesses – prestigious Northants Life Awards return for 2026

It is time to nominate your favourite businesses as Northants Life is delighted to announce the return of the NL Awards for 2026. Now in its fourth year, this awards ceremony is an annual celebration of the best of Northamptonshire – recognising the businesses, individuals and venues that make the county a special place to live, work and visit.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th May 2026

IN PICTURES: ‘Much-loved’ 105-year-old from Northampton celebrates momentous birthday

A “much-loved” 105-year-old from Northampton celebrated his momentous birthday during a veterans and blue light workers meet-up in Duston, which came as a complete shock. Jack Waterfield, who resides in Timken Grange Care Home, reached 105 on Sunday (May 17) and was taken by surprise the following day by everyone who wanted to celebrate him.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th May 2026

I’ve spent three months deep diving into what businesses are going through – here’s the most poignant message

I’ve spent over three months deep diving into what businesses are going through, and here is the most poignant message that everyone needs to hear. Roll it back to February 2026 when the Chronicle & Echo launched its We Mean Business campaign and since then, 27 business owners have featured and shared their insight with us.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th May 2026

Much-loved bakery transforms upstairs space into affordable bookable studios for the Northampton community

The owner of a much-loved bakery has transformed the upstairs space of her building into affordable bookables studios for the Northampton community. Duston Village Bakery on Main Road is adored by loyal customers and impressively celebrated its centenary anniversary in June 2025, when the community arrived in their hundreds to show their support.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th May 2026

We Mean Business: ‘Business is up in the air and very unpredictable – we’re between a rock and a hard place’

A founder whose home clearance venture snowballed into the opening of a pre-loved furniture store has described business as “up in the air” and “very unpredictable”. Launched in February, the Chronicle & Echo’s latest campaign hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across the town.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 15th May 2026

Less than 100 tickets left for previously sold out daytime disco returning to Franklin’s Gardens next month

There are less than 100 tickets left for a previously sold out daytime disco, set to return to Franklin’s Gardens next month. THE 2PM CLUB Daytime Disco is returning to cinch Stadium from 2pm to 6pm on June 6, launched by John and Katie Donaghue’s business Boombastic Events. They are also the founders of The Silent Disco Project.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 15th May 2026

Northampton teacher and father-of-two working hard towards launch of app to document family memories

A Northampton teacher and father-of-two is working hard towards the launch of a much-needed app that will allow families to document precious memories. Alex Stokes, a PE teacher at Wollaston School, realised he was forgetting little things about his daughters’ early years – like the funny words his eldest used to say and the way his youngest blew bubbles in the bath.