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]
13. Araminta's
The team at Araminta's takeaway in Yardley Hastings is set to open a restaurant at the current Cumin curry house, in Wellingborough Road, in January. Araminta's new manager, 21-year-old Shohid Islam, said the move is all about meeting customer demands.
14. Wing Spot
The chicken wing takeaway opened in March in the middle of Wellingborough Road. Owners and friends Jabran and Kasim were given the opportunity to open Wing Spot when the previous takeaway closed, so the pair quickly got to work after deciding to go into the new venture together.
15. Marmaris
The popular family-run Turkish restaurant in St Giles Street reopened in June after a whopping £70,000 on a six-week refurbishment to transform the building. Owner Erkan Kaygusuz said he wanted to improve the restaurant because there is 'a lot of competition coming around'
16. The Coffee Press
The Coffee Press in Harlestone Road, St James, opened for business in November. The cafe is owned by Harry Barnes, who also owns Jimmy's Sports Bar next door, and run by a team of four staff from the area. Coffee Press spokeswoman Sam Noble, 31, said: "There's nothing around here that's like this - somewhere for people to chill and work - so we wanted to do a really good coffee shop."