Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th March 2025

13 award-winning wedding businesses across Northampton – including venues, caterers and florists

Here are 13 award-winning wedding businesses across Northampton and beyond, including venues, caterers, florists, photographers, cake-makers, entertainment and bridal make up. The following businesses are the recent winners at the Hitched Wedding Awards 2025, and it is clear that our county is bursting with choice when it comes to planning your big day.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th March 2025

Tidy Our Town: ‘We might only have six people but that’s six more who are picking litter than before’

A litter picker emphasised that although there are six dedicated volunteers in her area, they make a much bigger difference than if nothing was being done at all. Sally Jordan has been the chairperson of the Ecton Brook Residents Group since 2017, which is also when she started regularly litter picking the area.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th March 2025

Community fighting for future of Northants playing field utilised by more than 2,000 people

A community is fighting to secure the future of a Northamptonshire playing field, which is utilised by more than 2,000 people in Guilsborough and the surrounding villages. Guilsborough Playing Field, located in West Haddon Road, is at a “crisis point” due to a lack of volunteers and a difficult fundraising environment.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th March 2025

I went to a candlelit Bridgerton string quartet concert in Northampton and the iconic songs did not disappoint

I went to a candlelit Bridgerton concert in Northampton and the iconic songs performed by the string quartet did not disappoint. Netflix, production company Shondaland, and live entertainment discovery platform Fever partnered to bring this exclusive performance to our town.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th March 2025

Support group for Northamptonshire’s community of SEND mothers has big plans for 2025

A support group for Northamptonshire’s community of mothers to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which has more than 1,100 members on Facebook, has big plans for 2025. Northants SEND Mummas was founded by Shumi Syed and Emma Briggs in spring last year, after they merged their two separate groups operating from different areas of the county.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th March 2025

Meet the founder of a new essential oils business with a passion for natural wellness and aromatherapy

Meet the founder of a new essential oils business in Northampton, with a passion for natural wellness and aromatherapy. Roxanne Clark, from Kingsley, is the founder of RoxEssential – a venture inspired by her mother Kym who co-founded the popular 90s aromatherapy brand ‘Likisma’.

Northampton Chronicle and Echo • 17th March 2025

Tidy Our Town: Wombles being called upon to blitz hotspot which has left resident ‘at her wits end’

The Northants Litter Wombles, and anyone willing to help out, are being called upon to blitz a hotspot area in Northampton which has left one resident “at her wits end”. Volunteer Alison McClean has organised two litter picks in Blackthorn, which are scheduled for 10am on Wednesday (March 19) and midday on Saturday (March 22).

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th March 2025

Couple pride themselves on offering ‘quiet and peaceful’ stay at B&B in the scenic countryside

This couple pride themselves on offering a “quiet and peaceful” stay at their bed and breakfast in the scenic Northamptonshire countryside, which they have run for more than four years. The Old Vicarage, located in The Avenue, Flore, offers modern accommodation in a historic space – with Grade II listed buildings with origins as far back as the 17th century.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th March 2025

Northants mother calls for drastic change from schools after 17-year-old son took his own life a year ago

A Northampton mother has called for drastic change from schools after her 17-year-old son tragically took his own life at the start of 2024. Bradley Robertson lost his mental health battle in January last year and his mother Amanda Robertson, from Brixworth, has dedicated herself to keeping his legacy alive ever since.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th March 2025

‘Use it or lose it,’ urges founder of mobile cafe as business approaches half a decade open in Northampton

The founder of a family-run mobile cafe has urged the Northampton community to “use or lose” their favourite independents, as his business approaches half a decade open. Simply Sicily operates from a vintage trike and was set up by Sam Di Pane in September 2020, when he decided he wanted to move away from the corporate working world after 25 years.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th March 2025

PICTURES: These are the businesses that have already opened and closed in Northampton in 2025

Take a look at the businesses that have already opened and closed across Northampton during the first three months of 2025. It is never nice to see a business depart our town and we have so far seen a total of seven closures. Some have left premises empty and others have made way for new additions.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th March 2025

Business owner combined her passion for fitness and travel to launch exciting new venture

An award-winning business owner has combined her passion for fitness and travel to launch an exciting new venture. Ellen Saunders was a professional dancer working at sea until 2016, when she joined her mother Jane who had worked hard to establish Enhance Fitness in Long Buckby.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th March 2025

Parish councillor says ‘enough is enough’ as cracked and unbalanced paving resulted in broken nose for resident

A parish councillor says “enough is enough” as some cracked and unbalanced paving slabs in her area resulted in one resident falling and breaking her nose. Councillor Sandie Maitland, vice chair of the Old Duston ward at Duston Parish Council and chair of the community services committee, expressed her disappointment at the state of the paving outside Duston Library and the Community Centre in Pendle Road.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th March 2025

Owner ‘sad’ to say goodbye to antiques emporium after 14 years which marks ‘end of an era’ for traders

A business owner is “sad” to say goodbye to his antiques emporium after 14 years, which he has described as the “end of an era” for his traders. The Old Bakehouse Antique Centre, in Abington Avenue, closed on the final day of February after almost a decade-and-a-half since it was founded by Steve and Kim Culverhouse.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th March 2025

Meet the teacher turned business owner helping others reset through the power of breathwork and soundbaths

Meet the secondary school teacher turned business owner who is dedicated to helping people reset and restore through the power of breathwork and soundbaths. Jodie Beteli launched FLO Sound & Breathwork in September last year, after leaving her role as a secondary school teacher which she had done for her entire career.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 12th March 2025

Pub specialising in craft beer is now open on Northants high street after years in the making

A micro pub specialising in craft beer is now open on a high street in Northamptonshire after years in the making. The Goat launched in High Street, Long Buckby at the start of March and is the venture of husband and wife Richard and Laura Mitchell.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 12th March 2025

Husband and wife duo open new fish and chip shop in ‘vibrant’ area of Northampton

A husband and wife duo have opened a brand new fish and chip shop in a “vibrant” area of Northampton. Selina Lawrence-Masih and Sukhrat Masih opened V7 Fish & Grill Bar in Wilks Walk, Grange Park – after taking over from the former Tommy’s Fish Bar which shut at the end of February.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 12th March 2025

Primary school ‘proud’ to support charity and teach pupils about ‘empathy and giving back’

A Northampton primary school is “proud” to support this charity, to show their pupils the importance of empathy, giving back and that small actions can make a big difference. Spencer Contact, located in Gladstone Close, fixes and cleans up donated furniture before passing it on to those in need for free.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 11th March 2025

Popular glamping and camping spot returns for third summer in Northants – with alpaca yoga on offer

A popular glamping and camping spot is returning for its third summer in Northamptonshire – and retreats, alpaca yoga and bushcraft are among their unique offering to guests. Hideaway Wood Farm, in Dodford near Daventry, opened in July 2022 and was founded by husband and wife duo Ian and Amy Saunders.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 11th March 2025

IN PICTURES: Primary school students ‘thrilled’ to visit vital Northampton charity and pack food bags

A group of primary school students were “thrilled” to be the first to visit a vital Northampton charity and assist them in packing food bags as part of a new initiative. Pineham Barns Primary School visited The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation at the end of February to show their ongoing support.