£12m STACK Northampton project delayed until New Year as two venues in the country scrapped –  WNC stays silent on £4m funding

Works to transform the former Market Walk shopping centre into a new STACK leisure venue have recently stopped.

West Northants Council says this is because current phase of strip-out work, which started in August, has been completed.

Outside the building, fencing and scaffolding at both the Market Square and Abington Street entrances have also been removed.

In October, STACK shelved plans for two other leisure venues in Whitley Bay and Durham, blaming unforeseen development costs, slow planning and legal processes, infrastructure demands and wider pressures on the hospitality and leisure industries.

The Chronicle & Echo contacted WNC to ask whether the Northampton development was still going ahead, what the latest position was and whether there was still a target opening date.

The council was also asked how much of the £4.175m Towns Fund grant allocated to the project had been paid to STACK and whether there had been any discussions about the future of the scheme.

A WNC spokesman said: "The current phase of strip-out works has now been completed, with the next phase of works expected to commence in the New Year.

"We have been engaging directly with STACK and they remain fully committed to delivering the Northampton scheme."

This newspaper went back and asked why work had been paused until the New Year given it is already behind schedule, and asked again if WNC had provided any funding to STACK.

The council had not responded to those further questions at the time of publication.

STACK has also been contacted for comment.

The former Market Walk shopping centre closed in 2021. STACK's plans were originally expected to deliver an opening in summer 2025, before being pushed back to winter 2026. In August, the company said the project was likely to continue into 2027.

The finished venue is planned to include independent street food traders, bars, interactive games, communal seating and a main stage for live music.

A lower ground floor is also planned for live music, fitness events and family activities.

Around 250 jobs are expected to be created, with proposed opening hours of 8am to 2.30am every day.

Reform councillor James Petter, who was previously WNC's cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure, previously said the development would bring new life to the town centre.

He said: “This development will bring new energy into the town centre and will provide something for everyone across West Northamptonshire.

“This project will support existing businesses, attract new visitors, and create a destination that works for both the daytime and evening economy.

“Crucially, it will help better link Abington Street and Market Square, improving footfall and how people move through and experience the town centre.”

A STACK spokesman previously said: “STACK Northampton is a major project for us – both in scale and ambition.

“This is about doing the job properly and creating a destination Northampton can be proud of.”