Northampton is fourth best in UK for new businesses...and here are some of those that opened in 2021
Town has performed strongly in study
By Logan MacLeod
Published 7th Jan 2022, 11:58 BST
Updated 7th Jan 2022, 12:41 BST
Northampton is the fourth best place in the UK for starting a new business, according to a new business.
The study, compiled by business experts Bionic, created an index using nine different business metrics to reveal which UK city has the strongest independent economy, where small businesses can thrive.
Here are some of the new independent businesses that opened in Northampton in the last year. The Chronicle & Echo has been supporting our independent shops and businesses throughout the pandemic as part of an on-going campaign.
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.
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.
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.
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.