Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 8th December 2025

REVEALED: Family-run Christmas tree farm in Northamptonshire ranks fourth out of 100 spots in the UK

A family-run Christmas tree farm in Northamptonshire has ranked fourth out of 100 spots across the UK from research conducted by a leading footwear brand. New research from FitFlop has uncovered the UK’s best Christmas tree farms, ranked across 100 locations nationwide.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 8th December 2025

Full list of Northampton ‘sleigh stops’ for 2025 where Santa will visit between now and Christmas

Here is the full list of locations where Santa will visit in the run up to Christmas, between now and December 21 across Northampton. For an impressive two decades, the Rotary Club of Northampton Becket has enabled families to visit Santa who may not be able to otherwise – all while raising money that is donated back into the community.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 8th December 2025

Founder of ‘Northamptonshire’s original play cafe’ celebrates dedication of ‘incredible team’

The founder of “Northamptonshire’s original play cafe” has taken the opportunity to celebrate the dedication of her “incredible team” who have helped make 2025 a successful year. The Cloud Space, an award-winning play cafe located in building six at Weedon Depot, has offered parent and child classes, workshops and special events since December 2021.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 5th December 2025

Popular sandwich shop proud of third successful giveaway with 1,700 items collected for Northampton charity

A popular business is proud to have hosted its third successful giveaway to celebrate National Sandwich Day, with more than 1,700 items collected for a Northampton charity. Spread, located in Adnitt Road, Abington, was founded by business owner Amy Adams at the start of 2023.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 5th December 2025

Fundraiser launched to help 16-year-old achieve dream of competing in karting world finals

A fundraiser has been launched to help a 16-year-old from Northamptonshire achieve his dream of competing in the karting world finals. Jos Bardell, an engineering student at Silverstone UTC, has earned a spot at the World Finals of the FAT Karting League Pro Championship – but he needs the help of his community to get there.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 5th December 2025

Northampton man takes charge of 30-year-old business as venture prepares to enter next era

A Northampton man has taken charge of a well-established business of 30 years, as the venture prepares to enter its next era across the country and beyond. Lukas Farmer is now the owner and managing director of Jo Jingles, a music and movement group for children up to the age of five – which will soon accommodate kids of up to seven years old.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 4th December 2025

Former Caffe Nero site in prime Northampton town centre spot to be transformed into cafe and brunch business

The former Caffe Nero site in a prime Northampton town centre spot is to be transformed into a family-run cafe and brunch business. Caffe Nero was open at the junction of Abington Street and Dychurch Lane for 15 years until it closed in September 2020, with signs on the door stating it was due to circumstances beyond the business’ control.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 4th December 2025

Bar among just two venues from Northants to make OpenTable’s top 100 restaurants in the UK list for 2025

This bar is among just two venues from Northamptonshire to make OpenTable’s top 100 restaurants in the UK list for 2025. Sally’s Wine & Whisky, located on Watling Street in Towcester, has made the prestigious list which is generated from more than 780,000 reviews and dining metrics from September 2024 to August 2025.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 4th December 2025

It’s Small Business Saturday this weekend – here’s why you should support your favourite Northampton independents

Small Business Saturday is fast approaching this weekend, and here is why you should support your favourite independents across Northampton. This annual celebration encourages support for the UK’s much-loved 5.45 million small businesses, and encourages the nation to spend and shop with independents.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 3rd December 2025

‘Every purchase will help me keep my shop open next year,’ says independent Northants business

An independent business, which has been praised for diversifying the offering at a garden village in Northamptonshire, says every purchase will help her remain open next year. Heart & Soul Candle Co. was established by Tanya Russo from her home in Weston Favell, before opening at Whilton Locks Garden Village in March last year.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 3rd December 2025

Founder of award-winning business supporting families with children’s sleep celebrates ‘busy’ year

The founder of a multi-award-winning business supporting families with children’s sleep is celebrating a “busy” year in Northampton. Sam Robertson founded Sleep Solutions with Sam in February 2022 and has continued to build her positive reputation as a sleep coach over the past three-and-a-half years.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 3rd December 2025

Northampton illustrator ‘revving back up’ for 2026 as business will be more present than ever at markets

A Northampton illustrator is “revving back up” for 2026 as her business will be more present than ever at markets and she hopes to shout about her work across the country. Emma Britten founded her art and illustration business The Wild Patch after dedicating years to her studies to improve and develop her work.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 2nd December 2025

Long-standing clothes shop at the heart of town encourages shoppers to invest in Northampton’s economy

The founder of a long-standing clothes shop at the heart of town encourages shoppers to keep their money invested in Northampton’s economy by supporting independents this Christmas. Voni Blu, located on Castilian Street, focuses on quality, difference and sustainability and celebrated its impressive 17-year milestone in September.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 2nd December 2025

Stalwart business ‘disappointed’ as no free town centre parking to be offered by WNC this Christmas

A stalwart business owner has expressed her disappointment as no free town centre parking is to be offered in pay and displays owned by West Northamptonshire Council this Christmas. It was recently announced that North Northamptonshire Council will once again provide free parking in council-owned pay and display car parks this festive season.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 2nd December 2025

Here’s how you can support this vital cancer charity and its Christmas concert this week in Northampton

Here is how you can support this vital cancer charity and its Christmas concert this week in Northampton. The Lewis Foundation, founded by Lorraine and Lee Lewis back in April 2016, provides free gift packs and support to adults going through cancer treatment in hospitals across the Midlands.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 1st December 2025

Council celebrates ‘successful start’ for booking-only tips system while opposition petition signed by hundreds

West Northamptonshire Council is celebrating a “successful start” for their new booking-only tips system, while an opposition petition presented at last week’s full council meeting was signed by hundreds. The change was introduced across all six of West Northamptonshire’s tips at the start of November in an attempt to reduce queues, ease pressure on surrounding roads, and ensure a smoother experience for residents.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 1st December 2025

Meet the founder of Northampton’s first jacket potato business offering ‘home-cooked comfort food’

Meet the founder of Northampton’s first jacket potato catering business offering “home-cooked comfort food”. Danial Vahidi is the founder of Don’t Forget Your Jacket, which is currently open from Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm until 10pm on the corner of Hood Street and Colwyn Road.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 1st December 2025

‘Rapid growth’ for multi-award-winning Northamptonshire sweet business proud to be available on flights

A multi-award-winning sweet business based in Northamptonshire, which is proud to be available for people to enjoy in the sky, has seen “rapid growth” during 2025. Sweet Lounge, a vegan confectionary brand with plastic-free packaging, was founded by Greta McDonald in Brixworth more than a decade ago in 2014.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th November 2025

Tidy Our Town: Litter womble slams ‘dumping ground’ layby in Northampton as ‘most disgusting’ pick he has ever been part of

A Northants Litter Wombles has slammed his experience of a layby pick as the “most disgusting” he has ever been a part of. Dedicated volunteer Mark Watson was among a team of 10 wombles who took on clearing the Badgers End layby on the A4500 westbound just outside of Upton heading towards the M1.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th November 2025

Meet the founder of Northamptonshire’s thriving eggless home bakery launched after redundancy

Meet the founder of a thriving eggless home bakery business in Northamptonshire, who took a leap of faith after being made redundant. Bee Bakes, which opened in August, produces completely eggless creations in Towcester and caters for the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire communities.