‘Coming soon’ signs appear at Northampton car park set to become Enterprise rental site

The company plans to turn part of the NBC car park off St Peter’s Way into a new branch, providing parking and storage for rental vehicles, vehicle preparation and minor maintenance, a wash bay and a new office.

The site is expected to have space for 24 cars, six vans, one disabled parking space and two Enterprise Car Club vehicles – 33 spaces in total. However, the company said the number of vehicles on site would vary, as its fleet is moved between branches according to demand.

The site is in the north-west corner of the car park, close to Oren Pho Vietnamese Restaurant on Gas Street and Horseshoe Street.

West Northamptonshire Council approved the plans on April 30, 2026.

Enterprise said opening a new branch typically requires an initial investment of between £500,000 and £750,000 to prepare the site, with further spending on local suppliers and services.

The plans are expected to create six full-time jobs, while the company’s employees and customers are also expected to bring spending into the local area.

In its planning documents, Enterprise said: “There are significant and tangible benefits associated with Enterprise’s use of the proposal Site; not least delivering an active and employment generating business use at a town centre car park site that has long been under-utilised and in need of active use and investment.”

The proposed branch would operate between 7am and 10pm, while Enterprise Car Club members would be able to access vehicles around the clock. A condition limits vehicle washing, cleaning, maintenance and valeting to between 8am and 7pm.

The car park has previously been considered for other uses, although earlier proposals have not come to fruition.

A proposal for a food court with cuisine pods and a seating area was submitted in June 2025 but later withdrawn.