Local News

A record number of 60 teams have signed up to take part in the Franklins £50 Challenge to raise money for 12 charities across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. The Apprentice-style challenge sees teams receive £50 seed funding from the organisers – prominent legal firm Franklins Solicitors. The 2025 challenge kicked off on Monday 24 February and teams have until Friday 23 May to come up with creative ways to turn their initial £50 funding into as much money as possible for their chosen charity. The teams taking part this year range from sole traders such as Mindy Robinson of SophistiCake Creations in Northampton to teams from department store chain John Lewis & Partners. They also come from a wide range of industry sectors, including: accountancy, law, agricultural, recruitment, training, hospitality, catering, manufacturing, marketing and insurance, to name a few. Last year’s challenge saw teams fundraising by everything from bake sales..

A former PCSO and avid Northampton Saints fan is looking forward to being a familiar face to shoppers and business owners as he takes on a prominent new role in the town centre. Jason Shean has this week started as a Host for Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) – a key position that will see him be on hand to help visitors to the town and act as a point of contact for retailers and workers. With a background that includes working at HMP Five Wells, Northamptonshire Police and Virgin Media 02, Jason brings a wealth of relevant experience to the role and said he is excited about the opportunity to help make Northampton a better place to live, work and visit. He said: “Northampton has always been a big part of my life and I’m looking forward to playing my part in encouraging people back into the..

The Lewis Foundation is asking businesses across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes to take part in this year’s Franklins Solicitors £50 Challenge and help raise vital funds for adult cancer patients in the community. As one of the chosen charities for this year’s challenge, The Lewis Foundation is encouraging businesses to take on the challenge of turning £50 into as much money as possible between 24th February and 23rd May 2025. The money raised will go towards helping the charity to provide over 2,000 free gift packs every month to adult cancer patients in local hospitals, including Northampton General, Kettering General and Milton Keynes University Hospital. The challenge is open to any business. Each participating company receives £50 from Franklins Solicitors, which they must use to raise as much money as possible. Creativity is encouraged and businesses are invited to use their entrepreneurial skills to make an impact. Participants will also..

Those looking to put some fabulous fun into fundraising should sign up for this summer’s Colour Run in aid of Cynthia Spencer Hospice. The unforgettable kaleidoscope of colour will take place on Sunday 8th June at Overstone Park in Northampton. The 5km fun run sees participants get covered in different coloured paint powder as they make their way around the course. Run, walk or dance, there’s no time limit or competition, just a fun event for friends, individuals, colleagues or family to help support this vital local cause. Plus, if on the day you decide that the distance is too far, there will be a shortcut point, where colour runners can turn back and do approximately half the distance! Registration is open now and early birds can benefit from discounted entry fees until 31st March. Adults cost £15, children £10 and family entry is £45. Under 5s go free. Anita..

New Business Support Programme Launched for Northamptonshire’s Tourism Sector A new initiative aimed at strengthening Northamptonshire’s tourism industry has been launched, offering tailored support to help businesses capitalise on the county’s growing visitor economy. The Discover Northamptonshire Business Support programme will provide expert-led guidance over three months, helping businesses refine their strategy, enhance visibility and unlock new growth opportunities. Programme Overview Four targeted workshops – Covering key industry topics, including market trends, business visibility, and practical strategies to attract more visitors. One-to-one business support – Participants will receive tailored consultations from a Growth Hub Business Adviser, offering personalised guidance on market opportunities and business development. The programme is open to a wide range of businesses operating within Northamptonshire’s tourism and visitor economy, including attractions, heritage sites, hospitality, food and drink, accommodation, and experiential retail. With places limited to 40 businesses, interested organisations are encouraged to apply promptly. Find out more..

Walk, glow and, make your own light show in a brand-new fundraising spectacular from Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Join the charity for their inaugural Twilight Walk on Saturday 10th May, a fun-filled opportunity to gather friends and family to take part in a 5km or 10km walk at dusk, bringing the Northamptonshire community together for a memorable evening to raise charity cash. The event starts and finishes at Delapré Abbey and participants are encouraged to carry glow sticks and light up accessories as they step out on the route, which is pavemented around the town centre. Everyone taking part will be given a T-shirt to wear for the uplifting event, which not only highlights the incredible work of Cynthia Spencer Hospice but gives people a chance to celebrate loved ones lost. Whether walking in memory or just for fun, participants can also take part in a lively warm up at the..

February is packed with exciting events in Northampton, from Galentine's celebrations to light shows and comedy nights. Whether you're looking for a romantic date night, a fun evening with friends, or a family-friendly outing, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your ultimate guide to what’s on this month! Celebrate Love and Friendship Galentine’s at Genevieve’s Café – Thursday 13th February, 7pm-10pm. Gather your besties for an evening of delicious food, drinks, an Instagram-worthy balloon arch, a DJ, professional photos, and more! Book your spot here: Galentine’s at Genevieve’s Valentine’s at Genevieve’s Café – Saturday 15th February. Treat your special someone to a romantic three-course meal with a complimentary drink on arrival. Multiple booking slots available. Book here: Genevievescafe.com Valentine’s Day at Olney Kitchen – Friday 14th February. Enjoy a 7pm dinner followed by live music at 8pm. Book via Instagram: Olney Kitchen   Foodie Heaven Pudding Club at The Pudding Hole..

Swansgate Shopping Centre is proud to announce the launch of its newly rebranded initiative, Swansgate Community Champion, formerly known as ‘Good Deeds.’ This exciting program is dedicated to recognising and celebrating individuals and charities who go the extra mile to make a difference in the local community. Each quarter, a Community Champion will be selected from public nominations and awarded a £200 donation in recognition of their outstanding efforts. Whether it’s a devoted volunteer, a kind-hearted neighbour, or a local organisation making a lasting impact, Swansgate wants to shine a spotlight on those who truly make a difference. Fiona Stevens, Marketing and Tenant Liaison Coordinator at Swansgate Shopping Centre said: "We’ve been truly inspired by the incredible acts of kindness and dedication within our community. The Swansgate Community Champion initiative is our way of celebrating these individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to support others. We encourage everyone to nominate..

NLive Radio is celebrating with new presenters joining the station and the daytime schedule being full of passionate local people, producing over 100 hours of local programming making NLive Radio Northampton’s most local - local radio station. Station Manager Martin Steers said; ‘Being Northampton’s local radio station with the most local content is a great achievement, and I thank all our presenters for their hard work and dedication to the people of Northampton, I especially welcome some great new and not so new voices to the Northampton airwaves!’ Amanda Hollingsworth-Hellery kicks off the day with the breakfast show weekdays from 7am with Amanda being the first Trans woman to present a daily breakfast show on a local radio station in the UK. Amanda also presents the stations LGBTQ+ show - Prideful Northampton on a Thursday evening showcasing the towns LGBTQ+ community, helping to raise the profile of the community and..

The Lowdown has unveiled its newly transformed youth space made possible by a Youth Investment Fund grant. Based in the heart of Northampton, The Lowdown offers a caring environment where young people are always supported on their journey towards positive emotional health and wellbeing. It’s a mental health charity, providing free and confidential support services for 8- 25-year-olds across Northamptonshire. The Lowdown was awarded a Youth Investment Fund grant of nearly £1.3M in early 2023. The grant enabled them to embark on a rollercoaster journey, transforming their listed building in the centre of Northampton. As well as funding a major renovation and two-storey extension, the grant has enabled the charity to grow its youth services and helped them to establish a new Youth Advisory Board. The Lowdown re-opened on 11th January 2025. All the services that had been operating elsewhere during the building work phase are now reunited in their..

Green-fingered groups and schools in the Northampton area are invited to take part in a community gardening scheme this year, with small grants available to support sustainable planning projects. The 'It's Your Neighbourhood' scheme is operated by the Royal Horticultural Society as part of the East Midlands in Bloom competition, and encourages communities to brighten up existing communal gardens, school planting projects and neglected public spaces. Northampton Town Council supports the scheme locally and hosts an awards ceremony at the end of the season. Groups can apply to the town council for a grant of £200 to help with start-up costs, including buying plants and gardening materials such as tools, pots and peat-free compost. Any project funded should be sustainable, for example, by using perennial, pollinator friendly plants which will grow back each year and the grant application must be supported by the town councillor who represents the ward in..

A Northamptonshire primary school has described the “awe and wonder” pupils experienced by taking part in the Cynthia Spencer Hospice Tree of Love project. Every year, the hospice hosts a moving Tree of Love ceremony at Northampton Cathedral, where a Christmas tree is adorned with lights, each dedicated to the memory of someone special who is no longer with us. This year, Weston Favell CE Primary School joined the annual remembrance event by having their own tree in school together with blank hearts, where children wrote memories of loved ones lost or designed drawings to display for a small donation. These tributes aren't limited to those cared for at the hospice—they can commemorate any cherished individual, symbolising remembrance and love. This was the first year that schools in the county were invited to join in with the project by displaying their own trees. Weston Favell CE Primary School choir also..

Swansgate Shopping Centre is delighted to announce The Daylight Centre Fellowship as its Charity of the Year for 2025. Throughout the year, Swansgate will engage in various fundraising activities to support the vital work carried out by The Daylight Centre Fellowship in Wellingborough and the surrounding areas. Established in 1994, The Daylight Centre Fellowship is dedicated to standing against homelessness, poverty, and social exclusion. Their mission is to prepare adults impacted by these challenges for healthier, happier, independent, and purposeful futures. The charity offers a range of essential services, including: Community Hub: A welcoming space accessible to all, providing practical support, a community café, and a Support Hub offering advice, information, and referrals. Foodbank: Supporting individuals and families in crisis by providing up to four days' supply of food, household items, and toiletries. Daylight Shop: A charity shop offering a wide range of pre-loved items, with all proceeds directly supporting the charity's services...

An aesthetics clinic in Northampton has partnered with a global manufacturer of medical equipment to bring ground-breaking aesthetics and wellbeing treatments to the county. Total Body Sculpt, which has a clinic in the St Crispins area of the town, is working with BTL Industries to host an event presenting the latest in non-invasive aesthetics and wellbeing treatments to the public. Taking place at Vulcan Works on Thursday, February 6, the ‘New Year, New You’ event is free to attend and will showcase: · EMSculpt Neo - a fat loss and muscle-building treatment. · Emsella – strengthens pelvic floor muscles to alleviate incontinence and aid male and female sexual health. · Lymphastim Pressotherapy - helps with inflammation, pain management, injury and surgery recovery, water retention and lymphoedema. · Emface – a non-invasive facelift achieved naturally by toning facial muscles as well as building collagen and elastin in the skin. Emface is..

Vanessa Ridout launched her business The Epiphany Closet on her 47th birthday. A Raunds entrepreneur is celebrating one remarkable year in business as her own boss - after launching her wellbeing clothing and community brand. The Epiphany Closet, started by Vanessa Ridout, was created to empower women to live their best lives through promoting healthy habits, a strong-knit community and inspirational slow fashion. Vanessa, who is a solo parent to four children, took on the new venture after waking up one morning after what she described as “having an epiphany”. On 28 January last year, also Vanessa’s birthday, The Epiphany Closet launched online, making her dreams of becoming her own boss a reality. Armed with nothing more than a laptop, a lightbulb idea, and a strong will to take on 14 hour days for an entire year, Vanessa says she’s now on the path to creating the perfect lifestyle she..