Festive Faces: Abington Street business is hopeful for ‘vibrant economy’ as we approach 2026
This week, the Chronicle & Echo is bringing you five features to meet the owners behind some of Northampton town centre’s innovative businesses as we count down to Christmas.
In collaboration with the Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), the aim of the Festive Faces campaign is to shed light on the passion that goes into running an independent and the variety on offer if you visit the heart of town.
With Christmas less than two weeks away, there is no better time to support the town’s businesses to sustain what is available as we approach 2026.
The next owner to share their story with this newspaper is Ridvan Bozacigurbuz from foreign exchange business Abington FX in Abington Street.
Ridvan and his business partner Johanna Maccormick purchased the venture from its previous owner in January 2017, just a few months on from its launch in Northampton.
The opportunity arose and the pair went for it, and Ridvan has impressively been in the foreign exchange business since he came to the UK in 2000.
The business model is simple – they buy and sell travel money to and from people who are going on holiday or returning.
When asked what feedback they have recently received from the Northampton community, and what people like most about the offering at Abington FX, Ridvan said: “The service we provide and our friendly, up-front and knowledgeable service.”
Their motto is that they provide the best rates in town and they actively keep up-to-date with competitors to keep that promise to customers.
Ridvan was asked why he believes Abington Street and the wider Northampton town centre is the ideal location for a business like his.
“When it was under the previous owner, we spent a day in Northampton near the Christmas period,” he said. “Back then, they used to do a lovely Christmas market on Abington Street. It was vibrant and lovely, and we thought there was a good mix of people in this nice town.”
The owner stands by the fact that Abington Street is ideal for them, as the fact it is a pedestrianised road adds security for customers dealing with cash. With lots of banks now situated nearby, Ridvan described the area as the “financial hub of Northampton”.
Talking about his favourite thing about running a business in Northampton town centre, Ridvan said: “People get excited about going on holiday and it’s always a lovely time to talk to customers about where they are going and what they are seeing. It brings joy as it is something to look forward to.”
Ridvan and Johanna pride themselves on being a local and independent business, and running their one and only store at the heart of Northampton.
Not only do they offer great customer service and broad knowledge for anyone looking to travel abroad and to the UK, but sweets are handed out at the end of every transaction.
“We’re not in the retail or gift giving space, but more and more people are buying foreign currency as Christmas gifts,” said Ridvan. “This time of year is okay for us but people don’t tend to think about their currency until after the Christmas rush.”
Looking to the future of Abington FX, Ridvan is hopeful for a vibrant economy moving forward – as the better the economy, the more disposable income people have to spend on holidays.