We Mean Business: Chron campaign hopes to curb closures after bleak start to 2026 across Northampton

We Mean Business will not only help us continue our work as an active champion of the town’s business community and give them a platform, but encourage greater support from the powers that be and the community before it is too late.

You can expect to see these campaign stories twice-weekly, spotlighting what this town stands to lose if your favourite businesses were to close down. It will also shine a light on the biggest challenges faced at the moment and what more can be done to minimise them.

It is concerning that seven independents closed across the town within the first month of the new year, which can only send a discouraging message to those fighting to survive and wondering what lies ahead for the next 11 months and beyond.

With many shock announcements from well-established and popular names, no one can rest on their laurels and it is all hands on deck to get through the uphill battle some may have to face.

How will Government backing trickle down to have a local impact?

It was at the start of last week when the Government announced its backing for British pubs, in what is described as “a major package of support on business rates and licensing reform, recognising the challenges they face and the important role they play in local communities”.

Pubs will get a 15 percent cut to new business rates bills from April followed by a two-year real-terms freeze, as well as a review into the method used to value them for business rates. The hope is that this will save the average pub an additional £1,650 in 2026/27.

The Government also announced a new ‘High Streets Strategy’ to ensure retail, leisure and hospitality businesses can thrive as the bedrock of communities. This will be published later this year.

In addition, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced £10 million of funding for the Hospitality Support Fund over three years – upped from £1.5 million for one year announced last April – to support pubs across the UK.

This additional funding aims to help more than 1,000 pubs provide extra services, including creating community cafes, village stores and play areas, to bring locals together and boost footfall.

The Chancellor said: “If we’re going to restore the pride in our communities, we need our pubs and our high streets to thrive. We’re backing British pubs with additional support, and our new High Streets Strategy will help tackle the long-term challenges that our much-loved retail, leisure and hospitality businesses have faced.

“Thriving local businesses, bustling high streets and pride restored in our communities – that’s what this government is delivering.”

It will be interesting to see if and how this backing trickles down to a local level and has an impact on pubs across Northamptonshire, which is something we will be following as part of this campaign.

There is no denying that more needs to be done for all businesses, not just pubs, and We Mean Business hopes to get to the crux of what is most desperately needed throughout 2026 from local and national powers.

Would you like to get involved in the Chronicle & Echo’s latest campaign, We Mean Business? Email [email protected].