We Mean Business: ‘I might put on a brave smiley face but there are times I question why I do this’
The owner of a hidden gem events venue and coffee hut in Northampton has admitted that although she puts on a brave face, there are times when she questions why she continues with the venture.
Launched last week, the Chronicle & Echo’s new campaign We Mean Business hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across the town.
The twice-weekly stories will spotlight what Northampton stands to lose if your favourite businesses were to close down, highlight the biggest challenges they currently face, and encourage greater support from the powers that be and the community before it is too late.
Next to speak to this newspaper was Tracey Onley. She runs T’s, located at Pitsford Quarry in Harborough Road, which is known for its coffee hut, markets, charity events and family-friendly woodland walk.
The coffee shop was taken over by Tracey and her partner Bela Kacsmarik, who runs The Courtyard Creperie, in April 2023 as their eye-catching trailer regularly popped up at the location.
The two businesses remain separate entities, with Tracey’s main focus being T’s and Bela’s being The Courtyard Creperie.
Let’s take a look at what Tracey had to say…
How would you summarise your experience of running an independent business in Northampton at the moment?
“T’s is hard work,” said Tracey. “I might put on a brave smiley face but there are times I question why I do this. But I love the charity events, having a space that’s not as busy as others and that we have free parking.
“I love the markets, they bring me joy. I don’t do it for the money. We have really good days but there are a lot that aren’t as good. You can’t pick and choose when you’re open and have to be regular. We’re still building on Sundays and trying to make that work.”
Talking about how Bela is getting on with The Courtyard Creperie, Tracey continued: “It’s different for him as there’s not really anyone else who does what he does. He is liked and often rebooked, and he’s really lucky to have found seasonal homes.
“There are regulars he goes to every year and he gets booked for weddings. That takes the pressure off at the start of the year when others are trying to find spots.”
What are the biggest challenges you currently face as a business owner, and what impact do these have on the daily running of your venture?
Tracey said: “Rising costs. Coffee went up by 20 percent last year… staff, rent, utilities. There’s only so much you can charge for a coffee before you eliminate half of your customer base.”
What more do you believe could be done by the local authority to minimise your current challenges and ensure your survival throughout 2026?
“I’ve not thought about it too much as I just get on with it,” said Tracey. “We aim to do a certain amount of markets and charity events, with one big event per month through the summer. Our first is March 1 and I’m nervous about the weather.
“We’re really lucky that The Bennie Group who own the land are really supportive. They made the entrance not as boggy and you can now get into the woodland without getting wet feet. They’re supportive and encouraging.”
What do you believe Northampton stands to lose if your business were to close down? What unique offerings do you bring to the town that would be sorely missed?
To be clear, T’s and The Courtyard Creperie are not planning to close – this is simply a hypothetical question about what Northampton would lose if these much-loved businesses were lost during these tumultuous times.
Tracey describes T’s as a “really lovely spot to come and relax” and that calmness takes over, particularly with the amount of wildlife in the woodland.
“That woodland area closes if T’s closes and people would have to travel across town,” she said. “They would lose the Love Local Market and the talented independents who can’t afford pitch fees at some other craft fairs as they do this as a side hustle alongside their jobs.”
T’s is proud to charge an accessible £30 pitch fee, unlike other locations where businesses have the worry of selling lots of items to make back what they paid to attend the event.
What small actions can our readers and the Northampton community take to support your business in 2026?
“Come and enjoy our markets, the woodland and coffee,” Tracey concluded. “Share our social media posts, tag friends and talk about us through old fashioned word of mouth.”