SPEND A TENNER CAMPAIGN: Help out local businesses this Christmas by spending your cash in Northampton

There are so many little gems in Northampton, all run by independent shop owners, offering something unique and different in our town centre.

In the run-up to Christmas, the Chron is urging readers to spend at least a tenner in one of these stores.

The campaign is backed by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District.

Here, we look at just a few of the great independent stores in Northampton, as well as revealing the latest winners of the BID’s Golden Ticket Giveaway.

Nikki Cooper, manager of Bonds The Jewellers in St Giles Street, said: “We are proud to say that this Christmas is our 23rd in Northampton town centre.

“We attract customers from far and wide and along with our neighbouring and thriving independents we offer great choice, value and service and have new ranges that are proving really popular this Christmas, including Les Georgettes and Anais.

“This Christmas we are supporting the BID’s Golden Ticket campaign, an initiative that will see eight shoppers win £500 of shopping vouchers each, every penny to be spent with local businesses and at least half to be spent at independently owned ones.”

Jonathan Williams runs Montague Jeffery on St Giles Street with his sister Sally Anne. He said: “Our great grandfather Montague opened the business 115 years when he was only 19, first in Wood Hill and then later he moved the business to St Giles Street. We moved into our current premises in 1932, I’ve been here 36 years, my sister 28 years and our grandfather before us was here 50 years – so we have a bit of catching up to do. Montague’s three brothers ran a fabulous furnishings store called Jefferys in Gold Street which I remember visiting in my early teens before it closed in the late 70s.

“So, running a business in Northampton town centre is in our blood and we continue to thrive. Montague used to say ‘Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten’ and that is something we adhere to even today.

“We stand apart from the high street chains with a personal service and by always trying to stock something that little big different – quirky, with a twist, that will give us a little edge.”

Gretchen Larkin, owner of Bohemian Finds in Market Walk shopping centre, said: “Step inside my store and you will find a treasure trove of vintage inspired 40’s & 50’s clothing, with everything from shoes and belts to fascinators and handbags.

“ I’m proud to have a unique store, one that isn’t replicated country wide, one that you can only find if you shop local and visit Northampton town centre. I’d urge shoppers to think local and support stores like mine this Christmas.”

Golden ticket giveaway

Winners of this year’s Golden Ticket festive prize draw are set to spend half their winnings in independently owned town centre businesses.

Golden Ticket, running for the fourth year and organised by Northampton town centre Business Improvement District (BID), is a Christmas campaign designed to drive people into the town centre in the lead up to Christmas.

Shoppers are invited to complete Golden Ticket entry forms and post them in one of the 10 specially branded post boxes.

There will be eight winners, each winning £500 of shopping vouchers to spend in Northampton town centre shops and businesses.

Richard Clinton, one of the BID directors, explained: “Crucially the winning vouchers must be spent here in the town centre and half must be spent in independently owned businesses, ensuring we support all our shops, venues and businesses, not just the big names during this peak, festive period.”

Jessica D’Aulerio, Chair of Northampton Town Centre BID, added: “ We are delighted to be backing the Chronicle & Echo’s Spend a Tenner campaign and are wholly committed to supporting our diverse range of independently owned businesses in Northampton town centre.”

Winning independents Golden Ticket winners have been choosing independent businesses to spend their winning vouchers in. Our first four winners – the second and final draw will take place on Monday, 12th December – have so far chosen these businesses: Voni Blu, Derngate, Bonds the Jewellers, Style of London, R and J Hair Design, Jack Haddon, Montague Jeffery, New Imperial Restaurant, Sorrentinos, Abraxas, Sophia’s restaurant and Royal Bengal Tiger.