Northampton town centre is set to burst into festive life on Small Business Saturday, with a packed programme of family-friendly activities, character appearances and a town-wide competition designed to encourage shoppers to explore and support local businesses. The highlight of the activities on Saturday, 6 December will be a mischievous ‘Grinch Takeover’ in Market Square, where families can enjoy meet-and-greet sessions with the Grinch every 30 minutes between 3pm and 5.30pm. Expect festive fun, photo opportunities and plenty of seasonal mischief. Earlier in the day, budding bakers can get creative at cupcake decorating workshops in the Grosvenor Gatherings unit at...

Northampton College has won a top award for putting sustainability at the heart of its operations. The further education provider won the West Northamptonshire Sustainability Award at the 2025 Northamptonshire Business Awards after impressing judges with its wide range of Go Green projects that are helping it to radically reduce its carbon footprint and promote education about sustainability. It is the latest in a series of high-profile award wins which have recognised the College’s outstanding green credentials. Northampton College Principal Jason Lancaster said: “We’re so thrilled to have once again been recognised for supporting the green economy with sustainable jobs,...

Melody Woman Music, a champion of inclusive live music and events based in Towcester, is set to launch its highly anticipated event, “Business Beats,” this week as part of its celebration for being named one of the UK’s 100 most inspiring small businesses for 2025 by the Small Business Saturday campaign. As the dedicated Small Biz 100 business featured on November 27th in the official countdown to Small Business Saturday, founder Kelly Israel (late-diagnosed neurodivergent entrepreneur with Autism and ADHD) is using this national platform to drive a crucial political conversation, linking local economic growth directly to national disability policy....

Grosvenor Shopping Centre Northampton has announced the launch of its exciting new initiative, Grow Grosvenor, a competition designed to give one small or start-up business the opportunity to win a free retail unit for an entire year within the popular town centre destination. The competition, which is open exclusively to small and start-up businesses, aims to support local entrepreneurship and encourage fresh, innovative brands to join the Grosvenor community. The winner will receive 12 months of free rent, utilities, and service charge, providing an invaluable opportunity to establish a bricks-and-mortar presence in Northampton’s busiest shopping hub. Entries are now open...

Corby-based See Limited has clinched the North Northamptonshire Business of the Year accolade at this year’s Northamptonshire Business Awards held at Sywell Aerodrome on Friday 14th November. Responsible for businesses operating in the UK built environment industry, the group holding company was recognised for its dedication to excellence in North Northamptonshire and going above and beyond to support the local community while driving sustainable growth. Involved in the supply, distribution and fabrication of wood veneer and decorative laminate panels, See Limited was also commended for its investment in clean technology and creating zero-carbon materials alongside supporting its people and partners...

Popular fundraiser The Rust Bucket Rally has presented a mammoth £94,000 cheque to a much-loved local hospice charity. The renowned annual charity challenge chose Cynthia Spencer Hospice Charity as its sole beneficiary for its 2025 event. The four-day convoy, which took place back in June and covered 2,500 miles, saw more than 70 teams drive across the Swiss Alps and Lakes in “rust bucket” cars that cost no more than £1,000 each to complete the challenge and raise much-needed money for charity along the way. Not every car made it back, with some having to find an alternative route home,...

A new specialist after-school programme for neurodivergent children has launched at The Green Patch in Kettering – a place that holds special meaning for the family funding the project. The six-month programme, funded by Harry’s Fund with a grant of over £4,500, is now supporting a group of local primary schoolchildren who have been diagnosed with or are awaiting assessment for autism and ADHD. Harry Chadwick himself – who passed away 7 years ago aged 19 after battling cancer – attended The Green Patch when he was a student at Isebrook School in Kettering, and he loved it. Sessions include...

Northamptonshire’s tourism sector is being encouraged to step into the spotlight, as entries remain open for the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards 2025—with the deadline approaching on Sunday 30 November at 11:59pm. The awards celebrate the very best of the county’s visitor economy, highlighting excellence, creativity and dedication across the full spectrum of tourism businesses. From boutique B&Bs and innovative new experiences to large attractions and hospitality venues, the awards provide a platform for organisations of all sizes to gain recognition for their exceptional contributions. Winners of the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards will earn the opportunity to progress directly to the...

A new reuse shop has opened at Sixfields Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC), operated in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council, FCC Environment and local charity Cynthia Spencer Hospice. The shop will offer residents a convenient and sustainable way to donate and purchase pre-loved items, helping to reduce waste, support local charity work, and promote a circular economy. Cynthia Spencer Hospice Charity funds specialist end of life care for people living with a life-limiting illness. The charity supports patients, their families and those who care for them across West Northamptonshire. Visitors to the Sixfields Recycling Centre will be able to:...

A pioneering aesthetics and wellbeing clinic will bring Hollywood’s latest facial technology to Northampton next month as a groundbreaking alternative to injectable aesthetics. Total Body Confidence has partnered with global medical equipment manufacturer BTL Industries to launch EMFACE technology at a launch event in Northampton town centre on Thursday 4th December. EMFACE is the first and only non-invasive facelift that uses combined HIFES® and RF technologies to stimulate facial muscles and improve skin to create more lift naturally and reduce wrinkles, without using needles. It can also be used to correct facial asymmetry and alleviate jaw-related pain. The 20-minute sessions...

A multi-million pound project to secure the long-term preservation of one of Northamptonshire’s most important historic sites has been given a huge boost. For nearly 900 years, Delapré Abbey in Northampton has had a key role in local and national history – playing host to kings and queens as well as major battles. Following an extensive restoration project, the Grade II* listed house and gardens has become a much-loved public facility featuring a popular café and restaurant and a wide range of events. Now, to secure its long-term future, the Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust is working on the £5 million ‘A Stable Future’ project...

North Northamptonshire Council will once again provide free parking in council-owned pay and display car parks this festive season. As part of the Christmas festivities, and to support local businesses, NNC will be offering free parking in Kettering and Corby town centres on the following Saturdays: 6 December 13 December 20 December This applies to all council pay and display car parks in Kettering and Corby town centres, excluding Corby railway station car park. Also in Wellingborough, the Commercial Way multi-storey car park will remain open until 10pm from 1 December through to the end of the pantomime season at...

Northamptonshire’s Vulcan Creatives business incubation programme has welcomed 11 new aspiring entrepreneurs as part of its third cohort. First launched in 2023 by the award-winning team at Northampton’s serviced workspace, Vulcan Works, the free six-month innovative programme offers successful applicants the opportunity to kick start a new business or grow an existing idea with specialist support. The programme is led by Vulcan Works’ on-site business growth manager Darren Smith and applications opened in the summer, with 11 businesses chosen from almost 50 entries. Those who were successful are: • Anna Hamilton, a website developer • Danny Langford, a former primary...

Companies House has announced the introduction of mandatory identity verification for all individuals involved in the management of companies registered in the United Kingdom. Starting on 18th November 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). More than one million individuals have already completed the process, and the official launch marks the beginning of a twelve-month transition period during which each person must verify their identity by their assigned due date. The identity verification process involves two key steps. First, each individual must complete the verification process and obtain their...

Residents and developers are being asked to help shape West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) new Infrastructure and Developer Contributions document, aimed at providing clearer, more consistent guidance to inform planning decisions across the area. The proposed Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) will replace the three existing versions inherited from the former district and borough councils and will provide one document for West Northamptonshire. A new SPD will provide up to date guidance in a single document, offering clarity on how contributions are calculated, delivered, and monitored. It will also explain the rules and policies that guide how developers are asked to contribute to...