We Mean Business: ‘Right now I think any of us would tell you it’s a constant uphill struggle’
A women’s clothing shop, which was last year named Northamptonshire’s “best retailer”, has shared the “constant uphill struggle” that all independent businesses face at the moment.
Launched in February, 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 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.
Binkys Boutique, a women’s clothing shop located in Weedon Depot, was founded by Charlotte Newton-Harris back in 2012.
Charlotte ran the business alongside her day job for a few months before she was made redundant and decided to invest in herself by taking Binkys Boutique full-time.
This was a completely new venture, having worked for a plumbing and heating company previously, and it was initially set up after Charlotte had her first of two children.
The women’s fashion business sells clothing and accessories, but many customers love to take the opportunity to chat and catch up with Charlotte.
This is one of the factors that contributed to Binkys Boutique being named best retailer at the Northants Life Awards 2025, after the business came second the previous year and third the year before that.
As well as their permanent premises in Weedon Depot, Binkys Boutique has retail spaces in Vintage Guru at the heart of Northampton town centre and That Pink Shop in Kettering.
Charlotte also enjoys taking the business on the road through pop-ups, such as at markets, fairs, other businesses, and charity events for worthy causes.
Let’s take a look at what Charlotte had to say…
How would you summarise your experience of running an independent business in Northamptonshire at the moment?
“Right now I think any of us would tell you it’s a constant uphill struggle,” she said. “I’ve got a good online following that keeps me going. Unless you want to pay, social media algorithms don’t like to share your posts everywhere.
“There’s a new challenge every week and we’re fortunate that we’re off the high street, as we don’t have as many issues with parking charges and rates. But people have to get to us and there’s a fuel crisis. That filters onto stock and everything has a domino effect. Give us a break.”
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?
Charlotte said: “Online algorithms and the fuel crisis. Everything is going up – rent, stock, energy – and I’ve still got to cover all of that so I can pay myself and buy the stock. Nine times out of 10 I buy the stock before I pay myself.
“My rent has recently gone up, not by much and it’s minimal but I’ve still got to factor that in. Business owners work 24/7. Even when I get home or I’m on school runs, I’m constantly thinking about how I can get the business out there.
“I’ve been at this unit for four years and some people still don’t know we’re here. There’s the constant battle of getting the word out there. Other than paying Facebook and Instagram, I don’t know how we get our brands out.”
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?
“Up the VAT threshold so small businesses aren’t afraid to grow,” said Charlotte. “Upping national insurance and minimum wage has a domino effect.
“It’s just me and I have no staff to pay, but I have friends who own businesses and their wage bills are shocking. After the last increase, one had nearly £5,000 on top of the wage bill. That can take businesses under at the drop of a hat.
“We set up small businesses so we can have more freedom but right now it feels like every small business has to answer to someone. They could offer a tax break or up the VAT threshold.”
What do you believe Northamptonshire stands to lose if your business were to close down? What unique offerings do you bring to the town that would be sorely missed?
Charlotte continued: “People don’t just come here to shop, we put the world to rights and this is a hub. Even at events and parties, we put the world to rights, have a good laugh and a chat. That hub would go, and it’d be a shame to see any of us small businesses go for that reason.”
What small actions can our readers and the Northamptonshire community take to support your business in 2026?
“Tell people about us, share us online, like, comment and interact with our posts,” Charlotte concluded. “Social media isn’t the be all and end all, neither is footfall. Word of mouth is the biggest form of advertising.”