Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th March 2026

Former soft play centre turned venue hire business began as ‘slow burn’ but is now ‘really gaining traction’

A former soft play centre turned venue hire business began as a “slow burn” but is now “really gaining traction” in Northampton. Zoomania, which evolved from Hullabaloo and opened in Gladstone Road in 2020, closed for the final time in April 2025.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th March 2026

Founder of ‘life-changing’ SEN communication tags grows business from spare bedroom to premises of its own

The founder of what have been described as “life-changing” communication tags for the SEN community has impressively grown the business beyond the spare bedroom in her home. Sophie Haynes launched SEN Talk Tags in March last year, which was inspired by her five-year-old son’s autism diagnosis and aimed to help him express his needs and emotions.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th March 2026

Craft beer pub on Northants high street thanks community for welcoming venue with open hearts

A pub specialising in craft beer on a Northamptonshire high street has thanked the community for welcoming the venue with “open hearts”. The Goat launched in High Street, Long Buckby in March last year and is the venture of husband and wife Richard and Laura Mitchell.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 12th March 2026

‘Coming into 2026 was a scary time for hospitality as a whole,’ says street food and events app founder

The founder of a street food and events app has admitted that entering 2026 was “a scary time for hospitality as a whole”, as she shares her predictions for the rest of the year. Vanessa Anderson is the brain behind the unique Indi Local app, which has undergone a transformation since the start of last year to help connect street food traders with event organisers and others who want to utilise their services.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 12th March 2026

We Mean Business: ‘We’re part of a little gem in Northamptonshire that many people don’t know exists’

This business owner has expressed her pride at being part of a “little gem in Northamptonshire that many people don’t know exists”. Launched at the start of February, the Chronicle & Echo’s new campaign hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across the town.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 12th March 2026

Pilates business celebrates successful start with offering not available anywhere else in Northampton

A pilates business is celebrating a successful start, with an offering not available anywhere else across the entirety of Northampton. The founder of a dance school and fitness coaching company has added another string to her bow with a pilates business, unique from anywhere else in Northampton.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 11th March 2026

Family-run business of over a decade expands to bigger premises on busy Northampton town centre street

A family-run business, which has been successfully operating for more than a decade, has expanded to bigger premises on a busy Northampton town centre street. World Food Market is run by husband Muthulingan Piraba, wife Siva and their daughter Rasika, and originally launched at 49 Gold Street back in 2015.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 11th March 2026

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

Here’s what’s on during the rest of March 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 • 11th March 2026

Women’s health and pilates business working hard to spread the word about Northampton town centre offering

The founder of a women’s health and pilates business is working hard to spread the word about her offering in Northampton town centre. Viva Core opened in Vulcan Works in November 2025 and is the brainchild of Joyce Mwape, a chartered accountant by day who was proud to add another string to her bow.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th March 2026

Meet the new business taking over iconic former Steffans building in Northampton town centre – hoping to create their own legacy

Meet the new business taking over the iconic former Steffans building in Northampton town centre, in the hope of creating a lasting legacy of their own. The town centre suffered a big loss at the start of 2025 when Steffans closed its flagship store in Abington Square after an impressive 48 years of trading.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th March 2026

Owner prepares for business to ramp up for multi-award-winning artisan ice cream venture with spring on the way

A founder is preparing for business to ramp up for her multi-award-winning artisan ice cream venture, with spring well and truly on the way. Jo Rutherford founded Your Cool in late 2019, after many years as a thought in the back of her mind.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th March 2026

Unique gym celebrates ‘really strong start’ since opening fitness hub at the heart of Northampton

A unique gym is celebrating a “really strong start” during the first three months since opening a fitness hub at the heart of Northampton. Foundry, a gym and Hammer Strength training centre, opened on Bridge Street at the end of November 2025.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 9th March 2026

Cafe and brunch business now open in former Caffe Nero site in prime Northampton town centre spot

A family-run cafe and brunch business is now open in the former Caffe Nero building in a prime Northampton town centre spot. Caffe Nero was open at the junction of Abington Street and Dychurch Lane for 15 years until it closed in September 2020.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 9th March 2026

IN PICTURES: Take a look at the sweet treat sheds now open across Northampton off the back of viral trend

Take a look at the sweet treat sheds now open across Northampton, launched off the back of their popularity up and down the country due to virality on social media. These businesses have put trust in their customers through this concept which relies on honesty, with visitors left to their own devices as the sheds are located on driveways or outside homes.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 9th March 2026

We Mean Business: Demand continues to grow following first six months for this Northamptonshire business facing ‘nightmare’ costs

The demand continues to grow for this new Northamptonshire independent following its first six months in business, as the owner shares her concern over “nightmare” costs. Launched at the start of February, the Chronicle & Echo’s new campaign hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 6th March 2026

Luxury and cruelty-free candle business celebrates a year of first bricks and mortar store in Northampton

The founder of a luxury and cruelty-free candle business has celebrated a year since establishing her first bricks and mortar store in Northampton. 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 • 6th March 2026

Meet the mother-to-be who took the leap to launch jacket potato and loaded fries food van in Northampton

Meet the mother-to-be who has taken the leap to launch a jacket potato and loaded fries food van in Northampton, as a means to support her growing family. Erin Burdon is the founder and owner of Loaded & Baked, which she runs with the support of her sister Alisha, and the venture opened for the first time on January 5.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 6th March 2026

I’ve lived in Northampton for most of my life – here are my five 'one to watch' businesses for 2026

I have lived in Northampton for most of my life and here are five businesses I believe are ones to watch across the town in 2026. We know it has been a bleak start to the year for businesses, so let’s take the opportunity to shine a positive spotlight on independents with great potential moving forward.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 5th March 2026

New supermarket opens on busy Northampton street as sister business to popular bar and restaurant

A new supermarket has opened on a busy Northampton street, which is the sister business to a popular bar and restaurant. Mr Fox Bazaar opened on Wellingborough Road at the end of February and is located next door to Tuck In Restaurant, which reopened following three months of internal transformation works in April 2024.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 5th March 2026

11-year-old to run first marathon in aid of Cystic Fibrosis inspired by her godfather’s baby boy

An 11-year-old from Northampton will soon run her first marathon in aid of a worthy Cystic Fibrosis charity, and she was inspired to take on this challenge by her godfather’s baby boy. This is Brontë McGrath’s second fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Her marathon, taking place at the end of the month, will begin at Milton Keynes parkrun and end at her home in Northampton.