Severe weather shelter in Northampton will open for next three nights ahead of freezing temperatures

Northampton’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) will be activated tonight following a four day forecast of sub-zero overnight temperatures.

Northampton’s winter shelter (run by Northampton Borough Council in partnership with the Hope Centre, Midland Heart Housing Association and NAASH) provides somewhere safe, warm and dry for rough sleepers to go during the coldest nights of the year.

The shelter will be open for the next three nights at least, while a decision will be taken on Friday whether it should remain available.

Anyone who is sleeping rough in Northampton and requires access to this emergency housing should contact the Council on 0300 330 7000.

It comes after the criteria for activating the severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) was temporarily changed last month in response to criticism for the lack of intervention during a three day cold spell in December.

Rough sleepers will now be offered accommodation if temperatures are forecast to drop below 0°C for at least two hours between 9pm and 9am.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said that the shelter was operating from the Hope Centre. This was incorrect. Please contact the council on 0300 3307000 for details.