News

Millions of UK households face another broadband bill increase in April 2027, even if they are locked into an existing contract, prompting fresh calls for a ban on mid-contract price rises.

Broadband customers face fresh £48 bill warning

Workhorse: the Ryichi wind-up radio is compact but could be a lifesaver

I tested this £29.99 emergency radio for power cuts

High Street, Weston Favell, Northampton

Inside the £1.8million home with indoor swimming pool

Oak Furnitureland will open a new showroom at Riverside Retail Park in Northampton on Saturday, October 24, creating seven local jobs. The 12,500 sq ft showroom will feature furniture for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and home offices.

Oak Furnitureland to open new showroom this weekend

Morrisons in Kettering Road

Man arrested after attempted robbery in Morrisons car park

Nimble Studio, located at Spring Hill Farm in Pitsford, was launched by Leisha Mulvey on October 5 and she is passionate about the fact pilates has been used in physiotherapy rehabilitation for decades. Photos: You & Me Collective.

New wellness studio offers pilates, physiotherapy and massage under one roof

Emma and Mason Vidaurri run Figment Creative Works, which they launched when they arrived in the county at the start of 2025, and they are the two-person team behind Forest of Secrets.

Duo move from LA to Northamptonshire to launch never-seen-before light trail

Piotr Baranowski

Final member of £2million cigarette smuggling gang jailed for 14 months

The new stickers being released by West Northamptonshire Council and Northampton Town Centre BID

Businesses encouraged to welcome dogs as pet-friendly window stickers launched

A party was held to celebrate 10 years of the group

'Good Companions' club celebrates 10 years combating loneliness

Honey was rushed to the emergency vets

Man and puppy need treatment after being attacked by two dogs

Pomfret Court

Couple left with ‘crippling stress’ after being unable to sell flat

Signage has appeared at the former Thackerays store on a busy Northampton street, suggesting a new venue could “open soon”.

'Open soon': Signage goes up at former Thackerays store in busy street

M&S Simply Food store at a busy Northampton petrol station has closed temporarily for refurbishment.

M&S Simply Food closes at busy Northampton petrol station for refurbishment

A trip down memory lane to a Friday night out in Northampton town centre 18 years ago

Take a look back at 28 Disco Henry photos from a 2008 Friday night out in town

Drivers have been paid more than £68,000 in compensation for vehicle damage caused by potholes and highway defects in West Northamptonshire since Reform UK took control of the council in May 2025.

Top 10 roads where drivers received compensation for pothole damage

The opening of Sainsbury's in Wellingborough Road in 2009

Northampton nostalgia: The faces of Wellingborough Road from nearly 20 years ago

An incident occurred at the Holiday Inn in Flore (pictured) on October 19, when Northamptonshire Police attended the village after reports of suspicious behaviour.

MP calls on Home Office to explain when two asylum hotels in villages will close

Hickory’s Smokehouse, known for its Texas-style BBQ, opened last November at the former Lakeside pub, just off the A428 Bedford Road.

‘I went to a popular BBQ restaurant to see what all the hype was about'

Traffic and Travel

Library picture, Getty Images

Drivers warned of disruption as more than 20 roads face temporary closures

Stats for West Northants show 3 per cent of the network is in poor condition

Figures show 3% of major roads in ‘poor condition’ across West Northants

A section of the A43 near Towcester was closed for nearly two hours

Busy dual carriageway closed for nearly two hours

Parking enforcement began here, behind shops on Kingsthorpe Front, in August

Reform councillor calls for review of parking enforcement behind row of shops

Latest from NationalWorld.com

BBC Look East presenter Susie Fowler-Watt

BBC presenter quits after 35 years for new career

Why can't we just agree on a direction for plugs to point in, and then stick to it?

The Gadget Agenda: Awkward plugs are driving me up the wall Gareth Butterfield

Millions of UK households face another broadband bill increase in April 2027, even if they are locked into an existing contract, prompting fresh calls for a ban on mid-contract price rises.

Broadband customers face fresh £48 bill warning

The Government recommends households gradually build an emergency kit with practical essentials such as a torch, first aid kit, emergency radio and portable power bank.

Explainer What you need in a Government 3-day emergency kit

Crime

The man’s body was discovered on Tuesday, October 20, in the canal near St James Mill Road, close to B&Q in Far Cotton.

Police issue update on investigation into body of man found in canal

Ben Fox

Man jailed for stalking woman from prison cells with letters and calls

The drug deal took place at the skate park (middle) then the boys biked into the middle of the park (right) which is where the fight unfolded. Four boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, watched on from the trees alongside the canal (left).

Eyewitness tells court how machete fight unfolded before Mason Miller was killed

Police believe this man may have information about theft attempted burglary

Attempted burglary in residential street prompts police call to trace man

Northampton Magistrates' Court

IN COURT: Drivers from in an around Northampton, Daventry, Towcester sentenced

A total of 14 drivers were spoken to about unsafe and inconsiderate parking

14 drivers spoken to about ‘unsafe and inconsiderate’ parking around schools

Weather

A Met Office thunderstorm warning has been issued for Northampton today (Sunday 30 August).

When new Northampton thunderstorm warning will be in place until

Library picture

Council crews placed on standby as heavy rain forecast

Library picture, Getty Images

Yellow weather warning issued as thunderstorms head this way

Library picture (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

EXACTLY when heavy rain is forecast to hit as showers bring 90% chance of rain

Opinion

The countdown was over last Thursday (October 15) when the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards returned to the Royal & Derngate for their eighteenth year and we met the newly-crowned gold winners. Photo: Photocall Events.

I went to my fifth Food & Drink Awards – what’s it really like to attend?

I attended my fifth Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards, so let’s lift the lid on what it’s really like to go to a prestigious ceremony that welcomes ...

Katie Wheatley

Seasons change, but when do the Autumn years of our lives start?

]Autumn may be upon us, but I'm not ready to slow down just yet

The team behind Potz Ceramic Studio took to social media last Wednesday (August 12) to say the business had ceased trading due to unforeseen circumstances. Photo: Kirsty Edmonds.

I watched a successful business shut – no founder can rest on their laurels

REVIEW: Dr Frights' Halloween Nights delivers plenty of scares

William Carter

Why not choose three businesses to support for the first time over the coming months? You never know who or what you will discover.

Here are three more businesses I’ll be supporting for the first time this summer

I was lucky enough to be gifted the most beautiful looking biscoff cake by founder Mindy Robinson after speaking to her about SophistiCake Creations for the Chronicle & Echo’s latest instalment of We Mean Business.

I tried the yummiest cake – here’s why you should support this award-winner

Roll it back to February 2026 when the Chronicle & Echo launched its We Mean Business campaign and since then, 27 business owners have featured and shared their insight with us.

I’ve spent months speaking to businesses – here’s the most poignant message

Politics

Councillor Mark Arnull

Council leader hits out as Government rejects plans for wider devolution deal

Ten new traffic enforcement locations are being introduced by WNC in Northampton - and it's costing nearly £500k to implement, with a yearly running costs of £150k

Council to spend nearly half a million pounds on new traffic cameras

Mike Reader outside Downing Street.

Government changes to stop 'ripping off' drivers welcomed by MP

Councillor Humphries and Councillor Arnull

Councillor continues attending meetings as questions remain over engagement

Adur & Worthing Councils are offering free support to residents who are ‘struggling to afford their energy bills’. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Experts say switching now could save you £366 on energy bills

Use this tool to start saving on your energy bills now

This free tool finds deals your supplier doesn’t want you to see

Bills are going up again - unless you act now

Cut energy bills by £388 with this free tool before the cap jumps

You might have spare cash sitting in your energy account - here's how to get it back

Explainer Claim energy refunds and save on bills with hidden account credit

Business

The Original Fireworks Warehouse is run by a family with 25 years of trading experience and opened in Northampton in mid-October, following huge success with established stores in Buckingham and Leamington Spa.

Pop-up specialist fireworks shop opens for Bonfire Night, Diwali and New Year

The Government recommends households gradually build an emergency kit with practical essentials such as a torch, first aid kit, emergency radio and portable power bank.

Explainer What you need in a Government 3-day emergency kit

Ceva Logistics in Brackmills

Logistics firm employees fear job losses after company announces move

UK Trending

Research found more than four in 10 Brits are envious of Spain’s laid-back approach to mealtimes

Eating out in Britain has become an increasingly rushed affair

Original fireplaces, exposed beams and cornicing have been named the ultimate signs of good taste in the home, according to new research

Period features still deemed 'most stylish' property features

Jenny Ryan put teams through their paces as part of a special celebration for Skipton Building Society members

Quiz star Jenny Ryan stuns punters with surprise pub appearance

Guests were matched with blooms tailored to their mood, leaving with a bouquet designed to uplift, calm or energise

UK’s first ‘Flower Pharmacy’ opens

Guests were matched with blooms tailored to their mood, leaving with a bouquet designed to uplift, calm or energise

UK’s first ‘Flower Pharmacy’ opens

Unsuspecting moviegoers surprised by Rylan were given free treats and cinema tickets

Rylan has disguised himself as a sofa to surprise filmgoers

Environment

Kim Tegg launched Beautiful Borders 13 years ago in what was a complete career change after returning to college to train in horticulture, and she is now the proud founder of Beautiful Borders Plants Ltd too.

Founder of nearing decade-and-a-half proudly launches wholesale plant venture

Anglian Water is installing hundreds of kilometres of new pipes across its network and progressing plans for two new reservoirs and a desalination plant

Hosepipe ban to remain in place as drought conditions look to continue into 2027

Library picture of a solar farm (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP via Getty Images)

Developer behind huge solar farm responds to fears over impact

The group's aim is working collaboratively to conserve and enhance the Billing Road Cemetery to create a safe, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable place for the benefit of all.

Friends of Billing Road Cemetery invite town to discover history of 13-acre site

People

Northamptonshire Day 2026 in Kettering has been cancelled /IMG

Northamptonshire Day 2026 events cancelled due to public safety concerns
Northamptonshire Day 2026 due to be held in Kettering on Sunday (October 25) has been cancelled for public safety reasons.
Alison Bagley

Last week's Watermeadows parkrun was the 318th event

Northamptonshire Parkrun Diary Part 11: Watermeadows

BBC Look East presenter Susie Fowler-Watt. Picture: Alistair Beavis

BBC Look East presenter Susie Fowler-Watt announces departure after 35 years

Library picture, Getty Images

Plans submitted for up to 70 new homes in village

These rats, found dumped in a box in an alley, have been taken in by Animals In Need in Little Irchester, near Wellingborough

Rats abandoned alongside rubbish in alleyway rescued by animal charity

Education

Green Party MP Hannah Spencer (third left) and actor Anna Maxwell Martin (fifth left) with parents and campaigners from No School Fines delivering a petition to number 10 Downing Street, London, calling on the government to stop fining parents for their child's non-attendance at school. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/Press Association

Mother takes campaign to scrap school absence fines to Downing Street

Students at Northampton School for Girls celebrate recent results

School celebrates ‘academic excellence’ after topping rankings

Olivia Crouch joined the team at Bosworth Independent School on July 1, after building a teaching and leadership career across UK and international education.

Former student comes full circle to become Northampton school’s new deputy head

Ken Howlett of Northampton’s Interfaith Forum.

Message of wellbeing and happiness spread at primary schools

One of the Northampton School for Boys teams

Two schools secure places at national debating showcase after success

2011 - St Gregory's Catholic Primary School Grange Road.

Nostalgic pictures of children starting primary school 15 years ago

Health

Library picture (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

More than 'one in four five-year-olds have experienced tooth decay'

Maggie’s Northampton is getting ready for a season full of Christmas cheer, with tickets now on sale for its annual carol gathering and the launch of its first festive fair. Photo: Alex Maguire Photography.

Tickets on sale for Christmas carols as charity prepares for first festive fair

It was around 18 months ago when Rockleigh Ltd first started supporting The Lewis Foundation, when charity co-founder Lorraine Lewis and business director Renee Watters met at an award event and they hit it off.

The Lewis Foundation: Meet business that has played important role in gala ball

Library picture (Photo by Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Residents urged to book flu and Covid-19 vaccinations ahead of winter

Recommended

The e.l.f.mergency Smooth & Soothe Skincare Set includes three skincare essentials, including Save Your e.l.f. Hypochlorous Mist (pictured), and is currently reduced to £25 from £31.

This e.l.f. skincare gift set would make ideal gift and is now on sale

The Hyundai Inster’s boxy shape and round lights give the small electric car plenty of character

Hyundai Inster review: a tiny EV with some seriously clever ideas

New Gen Yoto Player

Yoto Mini 4th Gen vs 2024 Edition: my verdict on which is worth buying

Family holidays for less than £100? You'd be surprised how many options there are

Four nights away for six people for £99? These seaside breaks deliver

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Astra Security has released free resources to help organisations detect, assess and respond to PHP2Shell vulnerabilities

Ad Feature Astra Security launches PHP2Shell tools

SimplyCook and Amity Brew Co launch SimplyJuicy, a limited-edition pale ale made for curry night

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The new Adobe-Alpine partnership aims to bring more personalised and interactive experiences to Formula One fans worldwide

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RavenPack's AI model labelled more than 845,000 financial text excerpts in under an hour, helping researchers quickly create datasets for investment analysis.

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