Third 24/7 vape and convenience store opens on Bridge Street in Northampton town centre

The store, called Khyber Shop, is now open at 35 Bridge Street.

The premises were previously home to CI Aesthetics, an independent beauty salon run by Danielle Lesley from Northampton.

CI Aesthetics opened in November 2021 but closed in 2024, with Danielle saying: “The UK is not a bit of me anymore. I just don’t like it. The weather, the crime. It’s not like it used to be. I don’t want my kids going out into town. Me and my family are moving away.”

The shop remained vacant after CI Aesthetics left until Khyber Shop opened earlier this winter.

Khyber becomes the third 24/7 shop to open on Bridge Street in the past year and is one of many in the town centre and surrounding areas selling vapes and other products.

Elsewhere on Bridge Street, a small homeless encampment of two tents has been spotted on the demolished site of the former Angel Hotel. Construction of flats is due to begin there in the New Year.

A former nightclub, Replay, has recently closed, saying: “The truth is, the nightlife scene in Northampton has become extremely tough and unsustainable for what's expected from venues like ours.”

Another 24/7 convenience and vape store in a Grade II listed building on Bridge Street is currently being investigated by West Northamptonshire Council over its loud neon signage.

Outside some retail units, large piles of bin bags can be seen stacked in shop doorways and on the pavement.