BACK OUR TOWN: 'We need signage on Abington Street to boost St Giles Street profile'

Two sisters, who run a cafe in the heart of Northampton town centre, are urging shoppers to boost footfall on St Giles Street to help small businesses thrive.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Jun 2018, 07:04 BST
Updated 19th Jun 2018, 00:11 BST
Sisters Lisa, 28, and Nina, 24, took on the business last year and say it is like a family.Sisters Lisa, 28, and Nina, 24, took on the business last year and say it is like a family.
Sisters Lisa, 28, and Nina, 24, took on the business last year and say it is like a family.

As part of our campaign to get more shoppers stepping foot inside Northampton's independent retailers, tradespeople have told us what should be done to improve our town.

Our hope over June is to shine a light on those independent stores, cafes and restaurants, tucked away in arcades or side streets many may not realise exist.

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One independent business the Chronicle & Echo has spoken to is popular cafe Dreams Coffee Lounge on St Giles Street.

The pair say St Giles is the best place to set up business in the town and jumped at the opportunity to take on Dreams Coffee Lounge when it went up for sale.The pair say St Giles is the best place to set up business in the town and jumped at the opportunity to take on Dreams Coffee Lounge when it went up for sale.
The pair say St Giles is the best place to set up business in the town and jumped at the opportunity to take on Dreams Coffee Lounge when it went up for sale.

The cafe, famed in Northampton for it's five star TripAdvisor reviews, was taken over by Nina Neophitou and Lisa Witham. The sisters shared the same dream to open up a cafe before taking over the popular brunch hotspot in February last year.

The pair, who both have a background in hospitality, says more could be done to give smaller businesses a helping hand on St Giles Street.Lisa said: “Being off the main street means we get a lot fewer people passing by.

"It would be great to get some signage on Abington Street and raise the profile of St Giles Street.”

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They think business should be kept local, as they claim, independent businesses bring "unique offerings", which encourage different people to come to Northampton.

She added: "We strive to provide generous portions of fresh food, made with quality ingredients, all prepared to order. This allows people to customise their meal and get the best food experience possible.

"This paired with the warm and friendly atmosphere our team creates is what makes Dreams a place where people feel at home.

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Related topics:NorthamptonAbington Street