Here is a list of new independent businesses that have opened in Northampton so far this year.
In the run up to Christmas, the Chronicle and Echo is celebrating and promoting the best of local businesses in a bid to get more people out shopping locally.
It has been an extremely difficult year for most due to the effects of Covid, but that has not stopped these entrepreneurs from taking a chance and putting their own stamp on the town.
The new businesses include a wide range of services including beauty salons, restaurants, cafes, pizza parlours, furniture stores and more.
So in the run up to Christmas, keep these new businesses, and all other local business, in mind. Support local.
Have you opened a business this year that is not on the list? Email [email protected]
9. The Eccentric Englishman
Liz Cox, who used to run the Old Five Bells in Kingsthorpe, opened her new business in St Giles Street. The establishment prides itself on 'tiddly tea afternoons' and is based in the old measures and weights building in St Giles Street, between The Optimist and The Wig & Pen.
10. Mission Chicken
The owners of the popular Smoke Pit restaurant are set to open a new chicken shop inside the currently empty and iconic former Buddies USA Diner in Northampton. James and Matt Ingram, aged 40 and 38, are planning to open Mission Chicken in the the Dychurch Lane building, which was a Buddies for 40 years, dating back to 1981. The brothers said they used to have meals at the old Buddies and now plan on doing the building 'justice'. The restaurant is yet to open.
11. Juice Cafe
Carl Taylor and Chelsie Newberry (pictured right), from Kingsthorpe, opened Juice Cafe in Bridge Street in April in a bid to offer the town something 'different' as more people 'want a healthy lifestyle now'. The cafe sells a wide range of homemade, pure juice smoothies, bagels, wraps, paninis, 'deluxe' milkshakes and more.
12. Ali's Bazaar
The family-owned halal butchers and grocery store opened in Northampton's Wellingborough Road in April and focuses its efforts on fresh produce, community spirit and a delivery service within the town. Siblings Mansur Rahman and Shanaz Parbin, 42 and 43, who are born and bred in Northampton, opened the shop after leaving their high-flying corporate jobs so they could be closer to the community and give something back.