Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

‘We’re going to pay for it’: Northampton town centre businesses as parking increases stay despite Reform’s u-turn in other towns

A variety of Northampton town centre businesses have shared their outrage following West Northamptonshire Council’s u-turn on plans to introduce new parking charges in three market towns. Budget proposals for parking charges in Northampton town centre have remained the same despite a u-turn for Daventry, Towcester and Brackley at a cabinet meeting on Monday, February 16.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Meet the mother who launched innovative and sustainable party kit hire business in Northampton

Meet the mother who launched an innovative and sustainable party kit hire business in Northampton, which has saved more than 1,500 single use items from being purchased and thrown away so far. Joely Martin founded Northampton Party Kits in February last year, which gives people across the town the opportunity to hire reusable tableware for parties and other events.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

I went to the reopening of a renovated shop on a Northants high street – there’s hope for the business community

I went to the reopening of a renovated shop on a Northamptonshire high street and it reinforced there is a hope for the business community at what is proving to be a difficult time. It is heartwarming to see that Louise Miller-Chalk, founder of luxury homeware brand Miller & Chalk, has committed to staying on Watling Street at the heart of Towcester.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Northampton knitting group kindly spent six months creating blankets for animal sanctuaries

A Northampton knitting group has kindly spent the past six months creating blankets for animal sanctuaries across the county, which is hoped to make a big difference moving forward. Christine Pitt reached out to the Chronicle & Echo about this, as she used to work for the parents of one of the group members who she now visits at Foxfields assisted living.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Meet the founder of innovative intergenerational playgroup offered at care homes across Northants

Meet the founder of this innovative intergenerational playgroup offered at care homes across Northamptonshire, who launched this venture during maternity leave after being made redundant. Little & Wise Playgroup is the brainchild of Jodie Linnell and is described as a playgroup with a difference operating across this county, Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Village pub pulls out all the stops for Six Nations rugby tournament and encourages community support

A village pub has pulled out all the stops for the Six Nations rugby tournament and encourages support from new and returning visitors across Northamptonshire. The Royal Oak in Naseby is run by Ben Evans, who recently navigated through a tough time when snow settled on the pub’s garden marquee roof causing major damage which cost a fortune to repair.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: ‘Dumping ground’ layby issues persist as litter womble calls for WNC to close it altogether

A Northants Litter Womble is disappointed that the issues surrounding a “dumping ground” layby have persisted, as he calls for West Northamptonshire Council to close it altogether. Dedicated volunteer Mark Watson was among a team of 10 wombles who took on clearing the Badgers End layby on the A4500 westbound just outside of Upton heading towards the M1 at the end of last year.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

WNC claims environmental crime team has engaged with 500 businesses as part of town centre crackdown

West Northamptonshire Council has claimed that its environmental crime team has engaged with more than 500 businesses as part of a crackdown on Northampton town centre. The local authority is continuing to work closely with businesses and landlords to improve waste storage across the town centre, as part of the Northampton Town Centre Environmental Policy.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Popular cocktail lounge that filled gap in the market on Northants high street adds food to its offering

A popular cocktail lounge, which has had a successful start after filling a gap in the market on a Northamptonshire high street, has excitingly added food to its offering. The Vault Cocktail Lounge opened on Watling Street East in Towcester in September 2025, with the aim of becoming a relaxing haven where every detail is carefully considered.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Team loves hearing nostalgic tales after opening in one of the oldest cafe spots in Northampton town centre

A team loves to hear their customers’ nostalgic tales after opening in what is believed to be one of the oldest cafe spots in Northampton town centre. Glory Church in St Giles’ Terrace launched Cellar Community Cafe in November 2025, in the hope of becoming a valuable resource for those living and working in the town centre – as well as being a caring and creative space.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Owner prepares to sell successful antiques business in Northampton following big life shift

The owner of a successful antiques and vintage business in Northampton is preparing to sell the venture following a big life shift, as she believes now is the time to move on. Click Antiques & Vintage opened its doors in Moore Street in February 2020 and the family-run venture has become a cherished destination for antique enthusiasts, collectors and dealers alike.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Here’s what’s on in February at Northampton’s historic landmark boasting 900 years of history

Here’s what is on during the rest of February at Northampton’s historic landmark, which boasts 900 years of history and is ramping up its offering for 2026. Delapré Abbey prides itself on being a place that belongs to its community and every visit, volunteer hour, wellbeing session and restored building tells a story of people coming together.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Arts organisation looks forward to reopening in brand new location after £4.5 million injection

An arts organisation looks forward to reopening in its brand new location in the spring, following a £4.5 million redevelopment project over the past half-a-decade. NN Contemporary is a prominent, non-profit contemporary art space based in Northampton’s Cultural Quarter, which acts as a hub for exhibitions, artist studios, project space and development programmes.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

We Mean Business: ‘I might put on a brave smiley face but there are times I question why I do this’

The owner of a hidden gem events venue and coffee hut in Northampton has admitted that although she puts on a brave face, there are times when she questions why she continues with the venture. Launched last week, the Chronicle & Echo’s new campaign We Mean Business hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across the town.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Mother and daughter duo ‘blown away’ by response to business launch in Northants after ‘years of dreaming’

A mother and daughter duo have been “blown away” by the response to the launch of their business venture, after “years of dreaming” about what could happen if they took the leap. Mother Julie Miller and daughter Sarah McDonnell established J&S Aesthetics in Bugbrooke in September 2025, with the aim of bringing advanced skin treatments to the county.
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