Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 30th January 2026

Passionate Italian chef and pasta maker from Northampton shares ‘optimistic’ attitude for what’s to come

A passionate Italian chef from Northampton has shared her “optimistic” attitude towards what is to come, at what is a turbulent time for the hospitality industry. Carmela Sereno Hayes, founder of Carmela’s Kitchen, is a passionate Italian cookery tutor who specialises in the art of pasta making.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 30th January 2026

Award-nominee proud to work with well-renowned businesses after taking venture full-time five months ago

The founder of a multi-award-nominated venture is proud to already work with well-renowned businesses across Northamptonshire after going full-time less than half-a-year ago. Cameron Brookes-Williams launched The Event Man as a limited company in February 2025, having built the foundations of the business since the start of the pandemic.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 30th January 2026

Successful business owner who revolutionised afternoon tea in Northampton hopes to open coffee shop

A successful business owner, who revolutionised the way afternoon tea is offered in Northampton over the past decade, is hopeful about opening a coffee shop in the right location in 2026. Amy Whiting, from Duston, founded Amy’s Vintage Teas in 2013 when she started collecting vintage china.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 29th January 2026

Meet the founder whose business was born from lived experience, resilience and turning pain into purpose

Meet the Northamptonshire founder whose business was born from lived experience, resilience and turning pain into purpose. Ria Farmer is the founder of Rainbow Ri Holistic Health Coach, located at The Old Vicarage in Flore which is an up-and-coming location for independent businesses.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 29th January 2026

‘A good starter but needs to be maintained’: Stalwart town centre business reacts to ice rink breaking even

A stalwart business owner in Northampton town centre has reacted to recent figures released by West Northamptonshire Council, which revealed the Market Square ice rink broke even. 2025’s town centre Christmas events, including the ice rink, brought in more than 55,000 visitors – and with revenue from tickets and bar sales at the ice rink reaching £122,000, WNC says it broke even without placing additional pressure on core council services.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 29th January 2026

Exciting plans to turn Northants building into community hub are starting to become a reality

Exciting plans to turn a Northamptonshire building into a community hub are starting to become a reality, which is hoped to have a positive impact moving forward. The South Northants Volunteer Bureau (SNVB), which supports the voluntary and community sector by providing guidance to organisations and delivering community services to improve lives, is in the process of enhancing the Riverside Resource Centre in Islington Road, Towcester.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 28th January 2026

Calling all food and drink traders – don’t miss your chance to be part of Duston Food Festival 2026 in Northampton

Calling all food and drink traders across Northampton – do not miss your chance to be part of Duston Food Festival later this year. Duston Village Bakery took to social media to announce Duston Food Festival 2026, which aims to be a celebration of flavour, community and freshly baked joy.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 28th January 2026

7 independents have already closed in Northampton in 2026 – your favourite businesses need YOU

It is concerning that seven independents have already closed across Northampton in 2026, and your favourite businesses need you more than ever. You may have seen that we published a round-up of businesses that have announced they have shut, or plan to shut in the near future, during the first three weeks of the new year.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 28th January 2026

Family-run hair and beauty salon proudly approaches 70th anniversary at the heart of the high street

A family-run hair and beauty salon, which has been passed down a generation, is proudly approaching its 70th anniversary at the heart of a Northamptonshire high street. Hays Hair & Beauty, located on Daventry’s High Street, was founded by Anne Hay and passed down to her daughter Clare Hay around three decades ago.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th January 2026

IN PICTURES: Take a look at the businesses that have already announced their closures in 2026 across Northampton

Take a look at the businesses that have already sadly announced their closures across Northampton in 2026 – and these all happened within the first three weeks of the new year. It has been a bleak start to the year for the business community, with eight independents who announced shock shut downs.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th January 2026

Iconic Northants roadside cafe and truckstop reopens in hope of becoming motoring destination once again

An iconic Northamptonshire roadside cafe and truckstop has reopened, in the hope of becoming a well-renowned destination among the motoring industry once again. Jack’s Hill Cafe & Truckstop, located on the A5 Watling Street near Towcester, has been around since 1955. After closing during the pandemic, the business was fully restored and reopened in October last year.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th January 2026

One florist replaces another at the heart of Northampton town centre as founder took leap to follow passion

One florist has replaced another at a premises in Northampton town centre as a new business founder has taken the leap to follow her passion. KS Bloomery opened in The Ridings Arcade in November 2022 and although the business still operates, it is no longer based in this premises – and a new florist has now opened its doors.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 26th January 2026

Popular sandwich shop bounces back from hit and run as temporary new location was launched in five days

A popular sandwich shop in Northampton has bounced back from a hit and run incident, as its new temporary location was prepared in just five days to reopen in January as planned. Spread in Adnitt Road was left with structural damage after a stolen car hit another vehicle which ploughed into the building.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 26th January 2026

Don’t miss these two romantic musical experiences coming to Northampton this Valentine’s season

Do not miss out on these two romantic musical experiences coming to Northampton this Valentine’s season. Candlelight is a series of live concerts presented by leading tech platform Fever, with the aim of making classical music accessible.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 26th January 2026

Meet the founder uniting Northampton’s barbering community – who he describes as ‘heroes without capes’

Meet the founder passionate about uniting Northampton’s barbering community, who he describes as “heroes without capes”. Knox Acquaye began his barbering journey during the pandemic and went full-time with his business Knox Barbering in October 2025.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd January 2026

Business soon to celebrate two years open at Northampton garden centre and still houses nearly 50 crafters

An innovative business is soon to celebrate two years open at a Northampton garden centre, and is proud to still house nearly 50 independent crafters and traders under one roof. The Shack, which opened at Woodmeadow Garden Centre in March 2024, began with 31 traders and has continued to increase its capacity.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd January 2026

Northampton’s leading hair extensions salon founder says it ‘means the world’ to be shortlisted for national accolade

The founder of Northampton's leading hair extensions salon says it “means the world” to be shortlisted for a national accolade. Lola Hair Extensions opened its salon and academy in Wellingborough Road in July 2023, after founder Georgia Baugh launched the business back in 2011, and it has since seen worldwide growth.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd January 2026

Meet the founder whose home clearance venture ‘snowballed’ to opening a pre-loved furniture store

Meet the founder whose home clearance venture “snowballed” into something much bigger, with a pre-loved furniture store now open in Northampton. Moo’s Emporium in Cecil Road sells secondhand furniture and decor, and founder Zac Payne is proud of the anti-landfill ethos they have developed.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd January 2026

Well-established business owner says goodbye to hairdressing premises of 22 years in Northampton

A well-established business owner has said goodbye to her hairdressing premises of 22 years in Northampton as she takes her career down a new path. Debbie Wolstenholme was the founder and owner of hair and beauty salon Jungle Red on Wellingborough Road, which she chose to close down after more than two decades of success.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd January 2026

Founder of leading independent kitchen specialist built from the ground up after starting as apprentice at 16

The founder of a leading independent kitchen specialist in Northamptonshire has shared his impressive journey of building a successful venture from the ground up. Parker Kitchens design, make and install kitchens from its Towcester workshop and showroom, and is proud to provide a fully project-managed service from start to finish.