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Consultation: When it is good to talk to your employees
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Consultation: When it is good to talk to your employees

2nd June 2025

Published in association with

AS AN EMPLOYER, you may occasionally need to make changes to your employees’ contracts to accommodate business needs, changes in the law or evolving working practices.

But how do you know when consultation is necessary? Understanding the legal framework around contract changes is crucial,...

In times of trouble, forget sales… focus on the costs

2nd June 2025

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WITH ALL the upheaval of recent years - Covid, the cost of living crisis, global instability – I have had countless conversations with business owners facing real financial pressure.

Their instinct is often the same: “We need to push sales.” But in many cases, that is the wrong move. When your...

Fuelling innovation, powering regional growth

1st June 2025

Advertisement Feature

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE is preparing to take a bold step forward in the UK’s innovation economy with the launch of the Northamptonshire Innovation Ecosystem Report.

The report has been commissioned by and led by the University of Northampton and facilitated by a steering group of partners including Federation of...

The challenges facing small businesses when it comes to tax...

1st June 2025

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Published on behalf of

SMALL business owners frequently express concerns about tax and The Federation of Small Businesses’ latest report Taking A Toll addresses these issues while suggesting practical solutions.

The report reveals that small firms spend an average of £4,500 and 44...

New Inheritance Tax rules may hit business owners hard

1st June 2025

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Published in association with

WHILE here has been a lot in the news about the effect of the changes to Inheritance Tax announced in the 2024 Autumn Budget on farmers, the impact on business owners has been less well publicised. 

If you own an interest in a business worth more than £...

LATEST NEWS...

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Tourist Information Point opens as county revs up...

18th June 2025

A DEDICATED interactive Tourist Information Point has opened at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. The move is part of the ongoing campaign to increase local tourism...

Champion of talent: Women’s Innovation...

13th June 2025

A PACKED house at Silverstone for the launch of Silverstone Park’s new Women’s Innovation Network. The group aims to champion sustainable business growth through...

‘Ecstatic’: Sector’s...

13th June 2025

RECRUITMENT agency managing director Simon Acres receives an award for his outstanding contribution to supporting apprenticeships.

Simon, founder of the Simon Acres...

Business

Tourist Information Point opens as county revs up...

A DEDICATED interactive Tourist Information Point has opened at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. The move is part of the ongoing campaign to increase local tourism across Northamptonshire and to boost business for those in the county’s visitor economy. The Tourist Information Point provides a range of information on Northamptonshire’s attractions and experiences. Its creation has been led by Discover Northamptonshire, the Local Visitor Economy Partnership, which described the opening as a significant milestone. The information hub has been funded via UK Shared Prosperity Funding. It is one way in which West Northamptonshire Council, as part of Discover Northamptonshire, is implementing ways to harness and grow the existing strengths of the local visitor economy, attracting increased footfall, spend and overnight visitors. The experience economy is a recognised investment sector in the West Northants Economic Growth Strategy which outlines West Northamptonshire Council’s commitment to realise the potential of the visitor economy, focusing on specific areas such as sport, film and heritage. Cllr James Petter, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure, said: “Northamptonshire is proud to host world-renowned events like the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and the much-loved Heritage Open Days later this year. “We regularly welcome visitors from across the UK and around the world and we want every visit to be memorable. “By using our Discover Northamptonshire website and the growing network of Tourist Information Points, we are helping ensure that everyone can make the most of their time here and be inspired to come back again and again.” The initiative follows the county’s recent LVEP accreditation, which recognises Northamptonshire’s growing status as a key tourist destination in the UK. Northamptonshire welcomes more than 18 million visitors each year, generating nearly £1 billion in spending. This supports more than 30,000 jobs and 3,000 businesses, including attractions, hotels, pubs, and venues. With 99% of local businesses being small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism plays a vital role in sustaining the county’s unique character across its towns, villages, and countryside. Richard Clinton, chair of Discover Northamptonshire said: “The collaboration and passion across everyone in this county is what makes projects like this achievable. “The LVEP has a strategy to grow the visitor economy locally, to attract inward investment in the sector and to support our local businesses. We have a shared vision that we are all backing; to strategically harness and grow the local visitor economy, showcasing Northamptonshire as a must-visit destination. “We are excited to see this new hub inspire more people to keep discovering everything the county has to offer.” The Tourism Information Point launch event was attended by key stakeholders, members of the Discover Northamptonshire board, its Tourism Business Network board and West Northamptonshire Council cabinet members. Northampton College supported the event with tourism students attending to learn about the future of the visitor economy, as well as providing catering services to showcase the skills of the future workforce to grow the industry. The Tourist Information Point in Northampton builds on the successful Discover Northamptonshire hub at Rushden Lakes. To find out more, click here.

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Champion of talent: Women’s Innovation Network aims to drive change after Silverstone launch

13th June 2025

A PACKED house at Silverstone for the launch of Silverstone Park’s new Women’s Innovation Network. The group aims to champion sustainable business growth through...

‘Ecstatic’: Sector’s apprenticeship champion receives Outstanding Contribution award

13th June 2025

RECRUITMENT agency managing director Simon Acres receives an award for his outstanding contribution to supporting apprenticeships.

Simon, founder of the Simon Acres...

Chamber commits to partnership with university to nurture business growth and collaboration

10th June 2025

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Chamber of Commerce is part of a new initiative to nurture collaboration between industry and academia, supporting students and driving economic growth...

I could not get out of bed… My body was saying ‘Enough is enough’

7th June 2025

IT WAS the wake-up call that busy chief executive Robert Thompson needed. He was working flat out, he admits, when his body “just crashed”.

“I went to the...

Drive to net zero: Logistics giant adds 24 new electric-powered HGVs to its fleet

6th June 2025

SUPPLY chain specialist Wincanton  has unveiled the first of a total 24 new electric-powered trucks scheduled to join its logistics fleet this year.

The move...

A blueprint for the industry: Pub operator pioneers renewable energy deal

5th June 2025

TWO Marston’s pubs in Northamptonshire are among the first of 120 of its establishments across the UK to benefit from a new renewable energy deal.

The pub operator...

Food & Drink

Recipe for success: The Northamptonshire Food & Drink...

3rd April 2025

THE SEARCH is under way for the stars who make Northamptonshire a destination of choice when it comes to food, drink, places and hospitality. Entries have begun to...

‘A powerful force in creating vibrant, healthy,...

21st October 2024

IT IS a sector that sustains businesses of all sizes, creates jobs, brings people and places together and is a flagship for the county in terms of promoting it nationally...

Legal

Consultation: When it is good to talk to your employees

2nd June 2025

Published in association with

AS AN EMPLOYER, you may occasionally need to make changes to your employees’ contracts to accommodate business needs...

Why heads of terms negotiations must be handled with care

1st June 2025

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Published in association with

IF INFORMAL discussions on a new business arrangement are looking promising, a key...

Charity

Teams are on track to blitz their Franklins £50 Challenge...

10th April 2025

TEAMS participating in the charity fundraising Franklins £50 Challenge have their £50,000 target firmly in their sights.

They have raised a total £17,000 so far...

Hospice seeks more teams to join fundraising Golf Day

26th March 2025

GOLFERS representing businesses across Northamptonshire are on the practice ground ahead of the first golf day of 2025 raising money for Cynthia Spencer Hospice in...

Awards

Championing success: Northamptonshire Business Awards 2025...

13th May 2025

THE SEARCH is on for the best of the best in business in Northamptonshire.

The prestigious Northamptonshire Business Awards, organised by the Northamptonshire...

King’s Award for Enterprise fuels online retailer&#...

6th May 2025

AN ONLINE retailer that began trading in a flat in Northampton and now turns over almost £20 million is among the recipients of a King’s Award for Enterprise in...