Northampton nightlife set for fresh cash injection with host of new dining venues to open

While our yearly shops survey sees the vacant number of units standing at 77, nine higher than in 2012, a host of formerly redundant buildings are set to be brought back into use in time for our 2017 survey.

The Cultural Quarter has already seen craft beer specialists Hygge open this year. But the theatre going crowd at the Royal and Derngate will have another new nightspot to frequent from September 6.

Owners of Foodies Rocks have spent £500,000 converting the former pizzeria in Derngate into an “industrial chic” street food restaurant, complete with displays from local artists, acoustic music and a wide range of craft beer.

“Our background is from East London so it will have a very Shoreditch style,” said a company spokeswoman.

The venue will open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will even stock its own branded coffee.

The spokeswoman added: “This won’t be the sort of place for people who like to go clubbing, this will be really relaxing, for people who just want to chill out.”

This year has seen new nightspots Au-ra, take up a premises in Gold Street - and Stereo bring the former Faces Bar back into use.

A licence application has been put in to turn 45 St Giles Street into the St Giles Ale House.

Two former municipal buildings are also about to undergo restaurant conversions. A planning application has been submitted to renovate the former Safer Stronger Northampton Partnership building in Fish Street. Plans include a new restaurant, hot food takeaway and retail unit there.

But plans to convert Welsh House - the 16th Century former home in Market Square - into Zapato Lounge could provide a major boost.

The rustic styled restaurant/cafe described by the company as “homely, relaxed and slightly eccentric” forms part of the Grosvenor Centre, and is expected to extend the shopping mall’s opening hours.

The firm says the new venue, will open on October 5.