A leading UK-based vegetation management and landscaping contractor is reaping the rewards of its dedicated training and development programme, which is helping non-skilled employees build rewarding, long-term, careers in arboriculture. With the skills gap in arboriculture predicted to see workforce growth go down 1.6% by 2028, VMS Ltd believes that training and development within the industry is key. The company delivers a range of training to all staff via its Lantra Approved training division, VMT Ltd, enabling those joining the team with little or no prior experience the opportunity to gain professional qualifications, hands-on field experience alongside industry-recognised certifications. Operative Steven Spencer joined...

24 November, 2025

Northampton College has won a top award for putting sustainability at the heart of its operations. The further education provider won the West Northamptonshire Sustainability Award at the 2025 Northamptonshire Business Awards after impressing judges with its wide range of Go Green projects that are helping it to radically reduce its carbon footprint and promote education about sustainability. It is the latest in a series of high-profile award wins which have recognised the College’s outstanding green credentials. Northampton College Principal Jason Lancaster said: “We’re so thrilled to have once again been recognised for supporting the green economy with sustainable jobs, energy-efficient buildings and...

24 November, 2025

Melody Woman Music, a champion of inclusive live music and events based in Towcester, is set to launch its highly anticipated event, "Business Beats," this week as part of its celebration for being named one of the UK’s 100 most inspiring small businesses for 2025 by the Small Business Saturday campaign. As the dedicated Small Biz 100 business featured on November 27th in the official countdown to Small Business Saturday, founder Kelly Israel (late-diagnosed neurodivergent entrepreneur with Autism and ADHD) is using this national platform to drive a crucial political conversation, linking local economic growth directly to national disability policy. The...

24 November, 2025

NNBN Director Simon Cox has been appointed to the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (EMCRC) Advisory Group to help raise awareness of the support for Northamptonshire businesses with cyber threat challenges. This appointment reflects both Simon’s long-standing commitment to supporting Northamptonshire’s business community and NNBN’s ongoing dedication to promoting stronger cyber resilience across the region. The EMCRC Advisory Group plays a crucial role in providing strategic and tactical insight from business and third-sector perspectives. Its purpose is to help the Centre enhance its impact on strengthening regional cyber resilience, shaping effective strategies, and encouraging collaboration across sectors to tackle current and emerging...

21 November, 2025

If you are looking for fun, locally crafted gifts for friends and loved ones this Christmas, then the mini Makers Market at The Creative Place (TCP) on Northampton Market Square might just be the place. Launching on Saturday 22 November - to coincide with the Market Square’s Christmas Lights Switch On - and continuing Tuesdays to Saturdays until Christmas Eve, the mini Makers Market will feature local artists selling handmade gifts and cards, as well as free Christmas craft sessions for children and adults to create their own gift tags. According to Becky Carrier, Director of The Creative Place: “We are excited...

21 November, 2025

Grosvenor Shopping Centre Northampton has announced the launch of its exciting new initiative, Grow Grosvenor, a competition designed to give one small or start-up business the opportunity to win a free retail unit for an entire year within the popular town centre destination. The competition, which is open exclusively to small and start-up businesses, aims to support local entrepreneurship and encourage fresh, innovative brands to join the Grosvenor community. The winner will receive 12 months of free rent, utilities, and service charge, providing an invaluable opportunity to establish a bricks-and-mortar presence in Northampton’s busiest shopping hub. Entries are now open and must...

21 November, 2025

A new specialist after-school programme for neurodivergent children has launched at The Green Patch in Kettering - a place that holds special meaning for the family funding the project. The six-month programme, funded by Harry's Fund with a grant of over £4,500, is now supporting a group of local primary schoolchildren who have been diagnosed with or are awaiting assessment for autism and ADHD. Harry Chadwick himself – who passed away 7 years ago aged 19 after battling cancer - attended The Green Patch when he was a student at Isebrook School in Kettering, and he loved it. Sessions include gardening, arts and...

20 November, 2025

Northamptonshire’s tourism sector is being encouraged to step into the spotlight, as entries remain open for the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards 2025—with the deadline approaching on Sunday 30 November at 11:59pm. The awards celebrate the very best of the county’s visitor economy, highlighting excellence, creativity and dedication across the full spectrum of tourism businesses. From boutique B&Bs and innovative new experiences to large attractions and hospitality venues, the awards provide a platform for organisations of all sizes to gain recognition for their exceptional contributions. Winners of the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards will earn the opportunity to progress directly to the VisitEngland Awards...

20 November, 2025

Popular fundraiser The Rust Bucket Rally has presented a mammoth £94,000 cheque to a much-loved local hospice charity. The renowned annual charity challenge chose Cynthia Spencer Hospice Charity as its sole beneficiary for its 2025 event. The four-day convoy, which took place back in June and covered 2,500 miles, saw more than 70 teams drive across the Swiss Alps and Lakes in “rust bucket” cars that cost no more than £1,000 each to complete the challenge and raise much-needed money for charity along the way. Not every car made it back, with some having to find an alternative route home, and anyone driving...

20 November, 2025

VMS Ltd, a leading UK-based vegetation management and landscaping contractor, has welcomed a new assistant accountant onboard. Irmina Cappello joins the head office team, bringing with her a wealth of finance experience alongside a determination and drive to learn and improve. Having studied accountancy in 2018, Irmina has put her learning to good use, gaining experience in a number of accountancy roles within the county, before joining the VMS team. In her day-to-day role she will be responsible for dealing with supplier queries, processing invoices, preparing payment runs, reconciling statements, creating invoices as well as creating reports and carrying out reconciliations. Speaking of her...

20 November, 2025

Staff from Northampton-based asbestos management consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services, are undertaking a challenge which will see them walk 100 miles in 12 hours in aid of three charities close to the team’s hearts. The walk around Northampton is the final event for the team at Acorn, who pledged at the beginning of the year to complete ten fundraising challenges in 2025 to raise £6,000 for three charities – Muscular Dystrophy UK, Mesothelioma UK and Cynthia Spencer Hospice. The total raised so far is £4,000, so the team are hoping to raise £2,000 through this last challenge and is calling on the community...

20 November, 2025