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 • 26th February 2026

Former barber took the leap to follow dream and open new beauty treatment space in Northampton

A former barber has taken the leap to follow her dream and open a new beauty treatment space in Northampton. 25-year-old Lauren Moore worked at Dapper Chaps on Derngate for seven years before setting up Lemaura Beauty at the start of the year, located inside Pin Up Hair & Co. on Birchfield Road East.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 26th February 2026

Iconic landmark launches street art exhibition alongside new play exploring online culture and toxic masculinity

An Iconic Northampton landmark has launched a street art exhibition alongside a new play, which explores online culture and toxic masculinity in today’s digital age. As part of the educational activities accompanying the Royal & Derngate’s Made in Northampton production Top Gs Like Me, around 300 young people took part in street art workshops led by SUEDE and Dpendz.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 25th February 2026

Petition reaches 1,000 signatures as BID backs last minute attempt to scrap hikes to Northampton town centre parking

A petition has reached an impressive 1,000 signatures as BID backs the last minute attempt to scrap hikes to Northampton town centre parking prices. Plans to get rid of two hours free at town centre car parks owned by West Northamptonshire Council were kept in the final budget proposals, despite a late u-turn on new charges in market towns Daventry, Towcester and Brackley.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 25th February 2026

Weekly Chatty Cafe now on offer at much-loved Northampton venue in the hope of helping mental health

A weekly Chatty Cafe session is now on offer at a much-loved Northampton venue, which is hoped to help improve mental health among the community. The Chatty Cafe Scheme launched in Genevieve’s Cafe in Pineham around a month ago, and the team hopes to spread the word about the session from 1.30pm until 3pm every Wednesday.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 25th February 2026

Meet the former food brand owner ‘over the moon’ to maintain connection with Northampton hospitality

Meet the former food brand founder and owner, who is “over the moon” to have maintained her connection with Northampton’s hospitality sector through her new venture. Gita Raikundalia launched Nakasero in 2019, just months before the pandemic arrived, and it did not take long for the business to be well-established in producing authentic flavours and condiments.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 24th February 2026

Family-run camping and glamping destination announces ‘bigger and better’ wellness offering – including sauna and wild swimming

A family-run camping and glamping destination has announced a “bigger and better” wellness offering for 2026, including sauna, wild swimming and countryside trail runs. The award-winning Brook Meadow, on the border of Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, offers lodge stays, glamping, camping and caravanning – as well as their cowshed cinema and children’s outdoor activities.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 24th February 2026

Meet the mothers who followed dream to launch cafe and didn’t return to work following maternity leave

Meet the mothers who followed their dream to launch a cafe in Northampton, and did not return to work following their maternity leave when their now-premises became available. Anna Bajda and Anita Kaminsa are the founders and owners of Amica Cafe, which they run as a team of two on Latchet Lane.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 24th February 2026

Beloved family-run business of more than four decades named takeaway of the year across the East Midlands

A beloved and multi-award-winning family-run business of more than four decades has been named takeaway of the year across the East Midlands. Kingsthorpe Spice, in Alexandra Terrace, scooped the top spot at the fourth Nations Curry Awards 2026 – which aims to celebrate the talent and hard work among the UK’s curry industry.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 24th February 2026

Northampton to enter UK Town of Culture competition to celebrate ‘rich heritage and community spirit’

Cultural organisations and community partners have joined forces with the intention of entering Northampton into the UK Town of Culture competition. This will begin with the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the new national competition delivered by the Government’s Department for Culture, Media & Sport – designed to celebrate the unique cultural identity and creative ambition of towns across the UK.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd February 2026

Popular street food event to return for 2026 with ‘heavy-hitting line up of six incredible traders’ in Northampton

A popular street food event is set to return to Northampton for 2026, with what is described as a “heavy-hitting line up of six incredible traders” at Delapré Abbey this weekend. Bite Street NN’s season premiere is being hosted from this Friday to Sunday (February 27 to March 1) in the beautiful surrounds of one of the town’s most iconic landmarks.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd February 2026

Much-loved Northamptonshire business named among 16 finalists at the National Burger Awards

A much-loved Northamptonshire business has been named among 16 finalists at this year’s National Burger Awards, with the winner to be crowned next month. The Flavour Trailer was set up in April 2018 by husband and wife duo Mario Shephard and Charley Cummings, and has since become a well-established and award-winning business across the county – which included opening a restaurant in Brixworth in March 2024.

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 • 20th February 2026

Gourmet burger van founder admits ‘extremely tough’ time as beef price increased by 30% during last year alone

The founder of a gourmet burger van in Northamptonshire has admitted it is an “extremely tough” time for his business, particularly as the price of beef increased by 30 percent alone last year. Moo Hatch describes itself as “not your usual burger van” and was named best takeaway in the county at the Northants Life Awards in 2023.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 20th February 2026

Meet the proud owner of Northampton’s jewellery repair centre – offering quick turnaround including same day

Meet the proud owner of a business hoping to become widely known as Northampton’s jewellery repair centre, which offers a quick turnaround including the same day. Saint Gyles Jewellers opened in St Giles’ Street 44 years ago, and business owner Kathryn Ozlati has been involved from the very beginning.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th February 2026

Brand new play cafe now open in Northamptonshire – with a strong start of many sold out days

A brand new play cafe is now open in Northamptonshire, which has seen a strong start among the families of this county with many sold out days. Jaime Elderton is the founder of The Storybook Play Cafe in Bishops Court, Daventry, which she launched after selling her former business specialising in pop-up events for pre-loved children’s clothing.

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 • 19th February 2026

Founder followed dream to open shop on Northants high street after three years of watching from the sideline

Meet the founder who followed her dream to open a shop on a Northamptonshire high street after three years of watching from the sideline. Cécile Harris opened The Slow Life on Watling Street in Towcester in November 2025, which specialises in gifts, homeware and antiques at the bricks and mortar store and online.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th February 2026

Northampton butcher behind ‘booming’ one stop farmshop to launch second location very soon

A Northampton butcher behind a “booming” one stop farmshop is soon to launch a second location, which is an opportunity he could not turn down. Anthony Barton launched The Butchers Block, located at Billing Garden Village, back in 2013 and expanded his business to house a butchers, deli and farmshop under one roof last summer.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th February 2026

Meet the founder proud to run successful baking business in spite of chronic neurological condition

Meet the founder proud to run a successful baking business in Northampton in spite of the daily challenges caused by his chronic neurological condition. Ryan Grigg runs Pat-a-Cake Man from Pineham, which specialises in bespoke celebration cakes for every occasion including birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and corporate events.