We Mean Business: Long-standing business owner admits ‘extremely tough’ time for his multiple ventures
A long-standing business owner has admitted it is an “extremely tough” time for his multiple ventures in the town, including two pods on Northampton’s Market Square.
Launched at the start of the month, the Chronicle & Echo’s new campaign 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 feature is Steve Reid, who launched Friars Farm in Foundry Street approaching a decade-and-a-half ago. It was during the last half-a-decade when he expanded his offering with another two businesses – The Northampton Cheese Company and The Northampton Charcuterie Company.
Each is standalone but complement one another. Friars Farm offers chutneys, sauces and preserves, and the cheeses, meats and charcuterie made by the other two businesses go hand in hand.
Steve went on to open The Artisan Collective NN in a pod on the Market Square when it reopened in September 2024, and most recently filled the vacant butcher’s kiosk from September 2025.
Let’s take a look at what Steve had to say…
How would you summarise your experience of running independent businesses in Northampton at the moment?
“It’s extremely tough,” said Steve. “The cost of ingredients has skyrocketed for no real reason. We’re seeing businesses close and I think a lot of that is down to the cost of employing people.”
What are the biggest challenges you currently face as a business owner, and what impact do these have on the daily running of your ventures?
Steve continued: “A lot of people are not spending like they used to. Our sort of products attract demographics with spendable income but people are holding onto that as they don’t know what’s going to hit them next.
“Christmas was okay and we sold a lot of cheese. We’re building that stock back up. The butchers is okay and still a learning curve. It could all have been better.”
What more do you believe could be done by the local authority and national government to minimise your current challenges and ensure your survival throughout 2026?
“Regarding the national government, I don’t actually think they care or they wouldn’t have made the changes,” said Steve. “Hospitality has been absolutely hammered. It’s stupid and the national government has a lot to answer for.”
Talking about his relationship with West Northamptonshire Council, Steve explained he has regular contact with deputy leader Councillor James Petter – particularly about his two kiosks on the Market Square.
“Councillor James Petter and other councillors are doing what they can for me, it’s the people in the middle who could be doing more to help the market and traders,” said Steve. “Again, it’s been absolutely hammered with no stalls. It’s frustrating as we all work hard.
“It’s nothing to do with Conservative or Reform, it stems back to before the Market Square reopened. There wasn’t the effort to get the stalls in. They didn’t hit that hard and sustain it. There was no effort to have a long-term effect. I’m looking at the people in the middle.”
When asked who he was referring to when describing the people in the middle, Steve referenced officers and the team specifically in charge of the success of the Market Square.
You can find a response from leader of the WNC Conservative Group Councillor Daniel Lister, who represents the Long Buckby ward and oversaw the redevelopment of the Market Square in his former role as cabinet member for regeneration, at the end of this story.
What do you believe Northampton stands to lose if your businesses were to close down? What unique offerings do you bring to the town that would be sorely missed?
Steve said: “We’re the only one in the town centre doing what we do and we make a lot of products. You’ll struggle to find anyone else who does them all and the bulk of them are my own recipes.”
The business owner praised the work of Rachel Cooper at The Artisan Collective NN on the Market Square, who has made a real impact on regular customers.
“It’s like a social club,” said Steve, who explained that there are many people who come into the town centre for a warm drink and pop by the stall to have wholesome conversation.
What small actions can our readers and the Northampton community take to support your businesses in 2026?
“Realistically, everybody is struggling financially,” said Steve. “If they can support small independent businesses as much as they can, that’s going to help not just ourselves but the town. There are some great independents here and it’d be a shame to see them close – but there will be a lot more.”
‘The current administration has now been in power longer than the Market Square was open under Conservative control’
Leader of the WNC Conservative Group Councillor Daniel Lister, who represents the Long Buckby ward, oversaw the redevelopment of the Market Square in his former role as cabinet member for regeneration.
When approached for comment by this newspaper, he began by saying he has great respect for Steve and the independent traders who work incredibly hard to serve the community – and that he welcomes the We Mean Business campaign.
Cllr Lister said: “I appreciate Steve's observations about the challenges facing the Market Square. We have dedicated officers who are committed to making the Market Square succeed. The redevelopment delivered modern infrastructure that has helped attract further regeneration to Northampton, including STACK, Greyfriars and Waterside, demonstrating that it has been a catalyst for wider town centre investment.
“We received many expressions of interest ahead of reopening, and officers worked exceptionally hard to secure a strong and varied offer for the Market Square. We provided incentives including fit outs and free rent to support new traders in getting established. Any major regeneration project involves learning and adaptation, particularly in a challenging retail environment.
“The current administration has now been in power longer than the Market Square was open under Conservative control, and they set the policy direction including pricing structures, marketing strategies and trader support. They are responsible for these policy choices and their outcomes.
“Our independent traders are vital to Northampton's character and economy, and I remain committed to supporting them.”