Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 15th September 2026

Friends join forces to launch safe and welcoming family play cafe with a difference in Northampton

Two mothers, who have been friends for the past two decades, have joined forces to launch a safe and welcoming play cafe with a difference for the families of Northampton. Billi Oblakivic and Felicity Sohal are the founders of Friends and Babies Play Cafe, opening to the public on September 20 on St James Mill Road.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 15th September 2026

Business owner urges Northampton community to come and enjoy pottery painting at much-loved village bakery

A founder has urged the Northampton community to come along and enjoy the pottery painting she hosts at a much-loved village bakery, following the closure of two similar businesses in the county in quick succession. It was a year ago when Kate Lowe from Bagsy Me First lost her location at Workbridge and moved her offering to Duston Village Bakery, just two doors down from where she lives.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 15th September 2026

Meet the founder behind Northampton book festival that readers and authors travel across the country for

Meet the founder behind a newly introduced Northampton book festival that readers, authors and independent bookish businesses travel across the country for. Tamsin Shawe from West Hunsbury launched Scribe & Sign in August 2024, having lost the love for her long-standing career in the construction industry.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th September 2026

IN PICTURES: All smiles as hottest street food pop-up returned to popular Northants garden centre at the weekend

It was all smiles over the weekend when the hottest street food pop-up returned to a popular Northamptonshire garden centre for three days. The classic edition of Bite Street NN returned to Bell Plantation Garden Centre on Watling Street, Towcester in August for the first time this summer.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th September 2026

‘I’m aware everything changes but it’s not always for the better,’ says concerned Northampton town centre business owner

The concerned owner of a long-standing business in Northampton town centre has shared he is aware that everything changes, but that does not mean it is always for the better. Jonathan Williams is the managing director of Montague Jeffery on St Giles’ Street, which was founded by his great grandfather in 1901 at the age of 19.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th September 2026

The Lewis Foundation charity named regional Pride of Britain Awards finalist during 10th anniversary year

Well-renowned charity The Lewis Foundation has been named as a regional finalist at the Pride of Britain Awards during its impressive 10th anniversary year. April marked a decade of Lorraine and Lee Lewis’ dedication to bringing comfort, dignity and human connection to adult cancer patients across the region through free gift packs and support visits.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 11th September 2026

Popular cocktail lounge on Northants market town high street to host ‘autumn cocktails and crafts’ event

A popular cocktail lounge on a Northamptonshire market town high street is hosting an “autumn cocktails and crafts” event next month to celebrate the new season. 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 • 11th September 2026

Admirable founder celebrating second year in business with free retreat for women on the other side of cancer

An admirable founder is celebrating her second year in business in Northamptonshire with a free day retreat for women on the other side of cancer treatment. Jodie Beteli launched FLO Sound & Breathwork in September 2024, after leaving her role as a secondary school teacher which she had done for her entire working life.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 11th September 2026

Fundraising group known for Santa sleigh initiative to host family concert and they need YOU there

A fundraising group, which is known for its annual Santa sleigh initiative at Christmas time, is hosting a family concert and they urge the Northampton community to purchase tickets. The Rotary Club of Northampton Becket is made up of around 40 people of all ages, who raise funds and volunteer on projects to support good causes.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th September 2026

Events business confirms new location following shock Picturedrome news – here’s what you need to know

An events business has confirmed the new location for its upcoming daytime discos following the shock news from The Picturedrome, and here is everything you need to know. Boombastic Events was launched by John and Katie Donaghue in October 2014 and the business offers experiences that are inclusive for people of all ages to come along and enjoy themselves.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th September 2026

SNEAK PEEK: 19th century village chapel to be auctioned this month – with buckets of charm and unique character

Take a look at this 19th century Northamptonshire village chapel, described as having buckets of charm and unique character, which is set to be auctioned off later this month. With the right permissions, Farthingstone Baptist Church, which is the former spiritual heart of the village on Everdon Road, could be resurrected as a characterful home or holiday retreat.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th September 2026

Looking to support local? This month’s market at popular village bakery is happening this weekend in Northampton

Are you looking to support local as we transition from summer to autumn? This month’s market at a popular village bakery is happening this weekend in Northampton. 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 • 9th September 2026

Calling the women of Northampton – don’t miss this chance to connect, learn and share through empowering conversation

Calling the women of Northampton… Do not miss this chance to connect, learn and share at this upcoming event, centred around honest and empowering conversations at Delapré Abbey next month. She Speaks is an inclusive platform, co-founded by Mita Unalkat and Anjul Chandi three years ago. The initiative is now run by Mita alongside Leena Patel and Shehnaaz Latif.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 9th September 2026

Meet the 17-year-old from Northampton who took top spot to become British 125cc motocross champion

Meet the 17-year-old from Northampton, who impressively took the top spot to become the British 125cc motocross champion at the start of last month. Drew Stock started riding bikes from the age of three and began with a PW50 petrol bike, which is described as a legendary 49cc mini dirt bike designed to be the first motorbike for children.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 9th September 2026

Textiles school founder’s 14-year-old son from Northampton goes step further to win prestigious competition

The 14-year-old son of a textiles school founder, from Northampton, has gone one step further to win a prestigious competition that he was previously a runner up in. Jace Lothian won the Young Talent of Tomorrow competition in June, having come second in 2024, and his mother Jamie-Lee has expressed her pride at his accomplishments.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 8th September 2026

Ghost hunting team to return to ‘unreal’ location with lots of activity in Northampton this Halloween

A ghost hunting team is set to return to an “unreal” location with lots of activity in Northampton, for an event that is already sold out this Halloween. Emma Saunders runs Ghostly Gatherings in Leighton Buzzard, and she and her team travel across the country for events – including Abington Park Museum on October 31.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 8th September 2026

This Northampton-based music business has ‘grown remarkably’ in just a year with endorsements from well-known names

This Northampton-based music business has “grown remarkably” during its first year open and it has already received endorsements from well-known names. Bonham Drumheads was launched by Micky Clow and Gregory Bonham, off the back of their lifelong friendship and shared passion for drums.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 8th September 2026

Meet the independent theatre company founder about to debut third original play at ‘hidden gem’ venue in Northampton

Meet the founder of an independent theatre company, which is about to debut its third original play at what has been described as a “hidden gem” venue in Northampton. Mia Ballard launched Nerve Theatre in January 2025, after she had been directing locally for years and finished her creative writing studies. This was the right step to take things to the next level.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 7th September 2026

Don’t miss hottest street food pop-up at popular Northants garden centre for three days this weekend

The hottest street food pop-up is back at a popular Northamptonshire garden centre this weekend, and here is what you can expect across the three days. The classic edition of Bite Street NN returned to Bell Plantation Garden Centre on Watling Street, Towcester in August for the first time this summer.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 7th September 2026

10 wellbeing activities on offer this September at Northampton’s iconic landmark boasting 900 years of history

Here are 10 wellbeing activities on offer for the rest of September at one of Northampton’s most iconic landmarks, which boasts more than 900 years of history. 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.