Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th April 2026

We Mean Business: ‘We’ve had to put our prices up to keep our staff,’ says long-standing barber shop

The owner of a long-standing Northampton barber shop says she has had to put their prices up to keep the staff members providing the high quality service they are known for. Launched in 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 • 23rd April 2026

We Mean Business: Owner of booming pottery painting venture prepares to step back and retire at 75

The owner of a booming pottery painting venture in Northampton is preparing to take a step back and retire when he reaches 75 years old. Launched in 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 • 16th April 2026

We Mean Business: ‘I’m a determined person and believe what I’ve got is good – so I’ve gone all out’

The determined owner of a business that houses nearly 50 crafters has shared the effort made to ensure her venture stands out from the crowd in Northampton. Launched in 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 • 13th April 2026

We Mean Business: Leading hair extensions salon shares worrying impact of global current affairs on business

A leading hair extensions salon has shared the worrying impact that global current affairs have on running a business, as its bricks and mortar store approaches its third anniversary. Launched in 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 • 8th April 2026

We Mean Business: ‘It never ends,’ says founder of family-run deli and cheese shop at the heart of Northampton town centre

The next to speak out as part of We Mean Business is the co-founder of a family-run deli and cheese shop, which has been a long-standing staple in Northampton town centre for the past 15 years. Launched in 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 • 7th April 2026

We Mean Business: ‘Small business owners are doing it all, we have so many hats’

The owner of an innovative independent business, which is growing in popularity due to its skincare parties, says founders often have to do it all and wear many hats. Launched in 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 • 2nd April 2026

We Mean Business: ‘Independent businesses are the backbone of towns like Northampton’

An award-winning baker has shared the reality that running an independent business is “both very rewarding and undeniably challenging” in Northampton at the moment. Launched in 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 • 31st March 2026

We Mean Business: ‘My business has 13,000 followers and our posts only get seen by 400 unless you throw money at it’

A successful business owner, who revolutionised the way afternoon tea is offered in Northampton over the past decade, has revealed her struggles with social media reach. 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 • 19th March 2026

We Mean Business: ‘If I was starting a business now in Northampton, I wouldn’t bother getting premises’

A long-standing business owner admits that if she were to launch a venture in Northampton now, she would not bother getting premises due to its complexity. 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 • 18th March 2026

Tidy Our Town: WNC responds as Northants Litter Wombles chair calls for tougher crackdown on roadside litter

West Northamptonshire Council has issued a response as the chair of the Northants Litter Wombles has called for greater enforcement and a tougher crackdown on roadside litter. Mark Watson sent FOI requests to both WNC and Buckinghamshire Council in October last year, requesting data on how many people had been fined for throwing litter out of cars, vans and lorries between January 1 to October 25, 2025.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 16th March 2026

We Mean Business: ‘To people queuing around the block to get in, we look like we’re making millions – but we’re not’

The co-owner of a much-loved and award-winning bakery has shared the reality of what business is like behind the scenes compared to how it appears to customers from the outside. 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

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 • 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 • 5th March 2026

We Mean Business: Town centre venture slams ‘horrible communication’ about how to access support

A Northampton town centre independent has slammed “horrible communication” about how businesses can access support when they need it most. 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 • 2nd March 2026

We Mean Business: Cafe owner grateful for ‘non-stop’ start to 2026 despite ‘tough’ time for independents

A cafe owner has expressed her gratitude for a “non-stop” start to 2026 despite a “tough” time for independents at the moment. Launched at the start of the month, 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 • 26th February 2026

We Mean Business: ‘We are feeling the pressure,’ says founder of innovative Northampton independent

The founder of an innovative Northampton independent admits she and her husband are “feeling the pressure” as a result of the trials and tribulations business owners face in 2026. Launched at the start of the month, 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 • 23rd February 2026

We Mean Business: Jeweller says trebled price of sterling silver has ‘hit her like a tonne of bricks’

The founder of an award-winning jewellery business says the price of sterling silver, which has almost tripled in the past 12 months, has “hit her like a tonne of bricks”. Launched at the start of the month, 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 • 19th February 2026

We Mean Business: Iconic Northampton brewery says putting ‘passion over profit’ is the way to survive

The face of an iconic Northampton brewery says “passion over profit” is the way to survive this year, in the fifth instalment of We Mean Business. Launched at the start of the month, 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 • 16th February 2026

We Mean Business: Long-standing business owner admits ‘extremely tough’ time for his multiple ventures

A long-standing business owner has admitted it is an “extremely tough” time for his multiple ventures in the town, including two pods on Northampton’s Market Square. Launched at the start of the month, 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 February 2026

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.