Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 30th December 2025

I’ve spoken to hundreds of business owners during 2025 – here’s the most common thing they love about what they do

I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to hundreds of business owners across Northampton throughout 2025, and here is the most common thing they love most about what they do. 2026 is now just days away, and November and December provide the perfect opportunity for founders and business owners to reflect on what a year they have had.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 29th December 2025

I ate my Christmas dinner at an award-winning Indian restaurant for a second year – here’s how it compared

I ate my Christmas Day dinner at an award-winning Indian restaurant in Northampton for a second consecutive year, and here’s how it stacked up compared to December 2024. Tamarind Restaurant, which serves traditional Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine in Wellingborough Road, was launched by Tipu Rahman in 2004.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th November 2025

I went to the opening day of a pop-up shop – here’s why you should support this independent business

I went along to the opening day of a homeware pop-up shop in Northamptonshire, and here’s why you should support this independent business in the run up to Christmas. Louise Miller-Chalk is the founder of Miller & Chalk and she designs, sources the fabrics and hand makes all the products on offer.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 3rd November 2025

I’ve tracked business openings in Northampton during 2025 – here’s the five most exciting

I’ve tracked the many business openings across Northampton throughout 2025, and here are the five I believe are most exciting for our town. Northampton has seen a promising trend of openings this year, with new ventures that have established themselves and existing businesses that have upgraded to bigger premises.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th October 2025

I’ve been to the Food & Drink Awards for the past four years – here’s why this year’s was the best yet

I have attended the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards for the past four years, and here is why this year’s was the best yet. The esteemed ceremony returned on Thursday evening for its seventeenth year, when the gold, silver and bronze winners were announced across the 19 categories at the Royal & Derngate.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 26th September 2025

I’ve closely followed this unique Northampton business for the past few years – here’s how they thrive

I have been a close follower of this Northampton independent for the past few years and here is how they have not only survived, but thrived during a turbulent time for the business community. The start of 2025 marked a new beginning for town centre cafe-turned-events-venue The Eccentric Englishman at the heart of St Giles’ Street.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 4th September 2025

‘I do my best to visit Northampton businesses when I can – here’s how much your purchase means to them’

I do my best to visit, support and purchase from Northampton businesses as often as I can, and it is clear just how much every purchase means to them. It will come as no surprise to regular readers of our Chronicle & Echo coverage that I feel passionately about appreciating the vastness of quirky and independent businesses across our town.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th August 2025

We’ve tracked business openings and closures across Northampton – here’s what it’s shown us about 2025

As a newspaper we have done our best to track all the business openings and closures across Northampton so far this year, and here is what it has shown us about 2025. You may have seen that we already published summaries of the openings and closures throughout the first and second quarters of this year.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st August 2025

I’ve lived in Northampton for most of my life – here are three of my standout town centre dining spots

I have lived in Northampton for most of my life and here are three standout dining spots across the town centre which deserve your support. I stand by the fact that the Northampton community is lucky to have such a wide variety of independent businesses, each with their quirks and individualities.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th August 2025

‘I visited Northampton’s new boutique wellness business at the heart of town – here’s what I thought’

I visited Northampton’s newest boutique wellness business at the heart of the town centre, and here is what I really thought of the addition to the much-loved St Giles’ Street. 360° Wellness Group is run by trio of business partners Kamil Rosinski, Claudiu Hoban and Slaw Bejm, and it opened to the public back in January.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 11th August 2025

I speak to Northampton business owners everyday – here are three hidden gems you need to know about

I have the pleasure of speaking to the business owners of Northampton everyday, and here are three hidden gems that you need to know about. Having recently shared seven of my favourite independent businesses, now comes the time to share some hidden treasures that may not be on your radar.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 5th August 2025

‘I visited an independent Northampton business for permanent welded jewellery – is it worth the hype?

I visited an independent Northampton business for permanent welded jewellery, and here are my thoughts on the trend that is gradually taking the country by storm. Jackie Firestone launched Evermore Permanent Jewellery in September last year and after tying the knot at Duston Village Bakery in January, her husband Phil joined the venture.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 15th July 2025

‘I speak to business owners across Northampton everyday – here is what it has shown me about our town’

For the past three years I have worked for this newspaper, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to business owners across Northampton – and here is what it has shown me about our town. One thing that has allowed me to maintain optimism about my hometown is our independent business community, who are determined to bring innovation, uniqueness and difference.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 7th July 2025

‘I dined at one of Northampton town centre’s newest foodie hotspots – here’s what I made of it’

I dined at one of Northampton town centre’s newest foodie hotspots, and here is what I made of it. Mission Chicken was opened by brothers Matt and James Ingram at the former Buddies Diner site in Dychurch Lane at the end of May.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 1st July 2025

‘I went to my first paint and sip session in Northampton – is this popular trend worth the hype?’

I went to my first paint and sip session in Northampton, and here is what I really thought about this popular trend that is taking the country by storm. Since 2019, Paintvine has brought people together through creativity and the business is described as “the UK’s leading paint and sip experience”.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 25th June 2025

‘I went to the 100 year celebration of a much-loved bakery and we should be proud to have businesses like this’

I went to the 100 year celebration of a much-loved bakery and we should be proud to have businesses like this at the centre of our community. Duston Village Bakery prides itself on being a community hub and marked its impressive centenary milestone by inviting everyone along to the bakery on June 8.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 24th June 2025

I’ve lived in Northampton most of my life – here are seven of my favourite independent businesses

I have lived in Northampton for most of my life, and here are seven of my favourite independent businesses that deserve your support. We are lucky to have so many wonderful and innovative businesses in our town, who continue to fight through times of uncertainty and financial hardship to serve their community.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 16th June 2025

‘I went to an event that welcomed female business owners from all over the world – here’s what it was really like’

I was lucky enough to attend an event that welcomed female business owners from all over the world to Northampton, and here is what the experience was really like. If you have not heard of the Female Founders Summit, especially as it has been hosted in our town for the past two years, where have you been?

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 7th April 2025

I tried Northampton town centre’s newest afternoon tea offering and it is just £20 per person

I tried Northampton town centre’s newest afternoon tea offering and it was just £20 per person, which all goes to a worthy charity. The Lewis Foundation, which delivers 2,000 gift packs to adult cancer patients across the Midlands each month, proudly took over The Link Cafe inside the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery last November.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 30th December 2024

I ate my Christmas Day dinner at an award-winning Indian restaurant in Northampton – here’s what I thought

I swapped a traditional roast dinner for a three-course meal at one of Northampton’s award-winning Indian restaurants, and here is what I thought. It was only earlier this year when the Tamarind Restaurant in Wellingborough Road scooped a prestigious county accolade – having been named ‘World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year’ at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards.