'I was shocked from what I saw when I came back': Owner of Steffans Jewellers speaks out one year after leaving town
A jeweller who moved his family business out of Northampton last year says he was shocked by what he saw when he came back to the town centre – and fears new weekend parking charges could drive even more shops away.
Wes Suter, owner of Steffans Jewellers, moved to Market Harborough in January 2025 after nearly 50 years trading in Northampton alongside dad Steffan.
Speaking to Chronicle & Echo, Wes said: “One year on, we are in a much better position financially. We’re understood by the local authority here, there are lots of like-minded businesses around us, and we’ve become part of the community.”
But after a recent visit back to Northampton, Wes said he was shocked by what he saw.
He said: “I went back and it’s just getting worse and worse and worse. I spoke to other business owners and they’re really struggling. I feel like there’s one closing every week now, and that’s just not good for the town.”
Recent plans by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to introduce £3 weekend parking – removing the two hours of free parking – will only make things harder, he believes. Concessions for Blue Badge holders are also set to be scrapped under the proposals. Wes has long been an advocate of free parking in Northampton town centre to encourage footfall in the town.
He continued: “If you can get it delivered from Amazon for free, why would you pay to park in Northampton? People feel aggrieved at paying to park in their own town. It might only be a small charge, but it’s a barrier, and barriers stop people coming in.”
The jewellery expert says WNC should be listening to the independent businesses, which he calls ‘lifers, who are still trading in the town centre.
He said: “Start engaging with the shops that have been there for decades. Ask what the problems are – rates, crime, dirty streets, parking. Listen to the retailers. Otherwise there will be a larger exodus than just Steffans, I’ll say that now.”
Wes says the mix of shops in Northampton has also changed for the worse. He said: “Every good business is being replaced by the same kinds of shops. We’re not short of vape shops, for example. We need places where you can buy something nice – jewellery, clothing, gifts. We need diversification.”
By contrast, he said Market Harborough supports independent traders and attracts stronger retail as a result, pointing to national names such as The White Company trading alongside local businesses.
He said: “They value the independents here and the bigger brands follow. You don’t start with the chains – you look after the local shops first.”
Despite his criticism, he said he still loves his hometown and would like to return one day.
“I love my town and my passion still runs deep,” he said. “But right now I don’t see it being possible.”
On driving past his old shop in Northampton, Wes added: “It hurts still. That place was my life. But where we are now, people say good morning when you open up. It’s just a different atmosphere.”
In a final message to WNC, he said: “They need to do something drastic and think outside the box. Otherwise there won’t be any businesses left.”
On the parking charges, a WNC spokesman recently said: “Unlike the three market towns [Daventry, Brackley and Towcester] where parking is free, Northampton has established paid parking infrastructure where charges already exist. This is a different situation and is being treated as such accordingly within the draft budget proposals. Councillors will have the opportunity to consider and discuss the draft proposals at their budget-setting meeting next week.”
WNC’s final budget-setting meeting will take place at the Northampton Guildhall today, Thursday, at 5pm.