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02 December 2025
The wait is nearly over, Northampton Market Square on Ice is ready to open the brand new, covered real ice rink this Thursday, bringing a welcome burst of festive energy to the town centre. Spanning 14m x 22m, the rink promises an unforgettable experience for families, friends and visitors, with skating sessions running through to 4 January, whatever the weather.
Designed and engineered by the specialist team behind ITV’s Dancing on Ice and London’s iconic Somerset House, it now offers a top tier skating experience that’s never been seen here in our Market Town. Normally only found in major cities, this time it’s here on our doorstep in Northampton. Visitors can also enjoy a fully licensed rink side bar, serving up festive hot drinks and seasonal cocktails to enhance the experience and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Based on the transformed Market Square event space to bring a fresh, standout winter attraction to the whole community, Northampton Market Square on Ice has been designed to boost footfall, encourage visitors to explore the town centre, and support local businesses, particularly in the approach to Christmas.
“This is exactly the kind of festive, family friendly activity we envisaged bringing to Northampton Market Square this winter. Hosting an ice rink of this quality in the heart of Northampton gives our communities something really enjoyable to experience, while also drawing footfall to support our brilliant local traders and small businesses in the vital pre-Christmas period. And given who built it, I’m fully expecting to see some perfect 10’s out there on the ice.Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at WNC“Instead of bringing in an external Christmas market, we wanted to champion and support our existing market traders, and this event reflects that commitment. I encourage everyone to come on down, get involved, and soak up the festive atmosphere while doing your Christmas shopping, there’s plenty to see, enjoy and support in our fantastic town centre.”
“I’m all for the ice rink as I don’t believe the town centre has ever seen an event here like this. Hopefully it will bring people into the town centre who will then return to support the market and the local hospitality outlets. There is still a lot of work to be done and hopefully this will be a new start for the town centre.Steve Reid, owner of Northampton Cheese & Charcuterie located in Northampton Market Square“The ice rink will open up the square to many that can’t travel to enjoy ice skating elsewhere. We shall also be opening late to highlight what we have to offer in the artisan collective and the Northampton charcuterie & meats.”
"We are absolutely thrilled to be the Headline Sponsor for Northampton Market Square on Ice. At London Northwestern Railway, we connect communities across the region, and we’re proud to play a direct role in bringing this fantastic, festive attraction right into the heart of the town centre. We encourage everyone to hop aboard our trains, skip the car, and soak up the festive magic that Northampton has to offer this winter.”Sophie Gardner, Senior Sales & Marketing Manager at London Northwestern Railway
Alongside daily skating sessions, the programme features a packed calendar of festive activity:
Small Business Saturday - Saturday 6 December
Celebrate the national day dedicated to supporting local businesses, with a Grinch Takeover delivered by Northampton BID. The evening continues with an 80s disco night, featuring a live DJ from 7pm to 10pm.
Christmas Jumper Day - Thursday 11 December
Join us for Christmas Jumper Day and meet Santa on the ice for festive photos from 4pm to 6pm. We’ll also be donating a 20 percent of ticket sales to Save the Children, in support of their Christmas Jumper Day campaign. Wear your brightest knits and help us raise vital funds for a fantastic cause.
Carols on the Square - Saturday 13 December
A heart-warming afternoon full of festive performances from 2pm to 6pm, showcasing local choirs and singers, headlined by Britain’s Got Talent finalists Northants Sings Out and Northampton’s own Billy Lockett.
Student Takeover - Wednesday 17 December
A dedicated event for local & returning students to exclusively skate in the heart of the town. Live music and performances from student bands, with students able to skate for a special discounted rate of £7.50 with valid ID. Plus music and drinks offers throughout the evening.
Festive Family Day - Sunday 21 December
The perfect day to bring the entire family down for, where the ice rink will be in full swing along with a full day of FREE family-friendly activities, including face painting, balloon modelling, storytelling and more.
SEND-friendly Skating Sessions
Quiet, inclusive sessions will run as the first session of each day on 10, 17, 21, 28, 31 December and 4 January, at a discounted rate of £7.50 per ticket with parents/carers skating for free.
Santa’s Grotto will also be open every weekend throughout December in the Grosvenor Centre, with the Northampton BID Golden Ticket Giveaway running until 14 December offering shoppers the chance to win vouchers. A dedicated Christmas radio station from NLive Radio will also fill the town with festive tunes throughout the month.
Skating on the Square opens on Thursday 4 December, with tickets available now via The Old Savoy website. Early booking is encouraged to secure your preferred session time.
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Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) aims to keep its communities safe with an important message of safety this December.
Today, December 01, marks the launch of its seasonal campaign, “Twelve Messages of Christmas”, designed to help residents enjoy the festive period while staying safe.
Running throughout the month, the campaign will be sharing key safety advice every two days across its social media channels. Each message focuses on prevention, reducing risks that often increase during the festive season, from checking Christmas lights and avoiding overloaded sockets to staying vigilant in the kitchen and looking out for vulnerable neighbours and family.
Darren Carson, Prevention Team Leader, said:
“Christmas is a time for celebration, but it’s also a time when hazards can increase. From decorations and overloading sockets to unattended cooking, small mistakes can lead to devastating consequences. We’re asking everyone to take a few extra minutes to check their homes and make sure safety comes first.”
The need for this campaign is clear. National figures show that fire risk rises significantly in December, with people 53% more likely to experience a fire on Christmas Day than on an average day.
There is also a 10% increase in accidental home fires during December compared to other months. Hazards such as festive lights, candles, overloaded sockets, and unattended cooking all contribute to this heightened risk. Electrical fires and kitchen fires remain the most common causes, and the growing popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters adds new safety considerations around charging and storage.
Tina Collett, Prevention Team Leader, said:
“This Christmas let’s look out for one another, not just at home, but when you’re out and about. Whether you’re visiting family, heading to a Christmas party, driving or walking home after a night out, take extra care- plan ahead, stay alert, and avoid unnecessary risks. A few simple precautions can make sure everyone gets home safely and enjoys the season.”
Residents are encouraged to follow Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service on social media for all 12 safety messages and additional festive safety advice so that celebrations are remembered for the right reasons.
A few simple precautions, from switching off lights at night to buying gifts from reputable retailers and testing smoke alarms, can save lives and prevent tragedy.
Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson concluded:
“Christmas should be a time of joy, not tragedy. Every year, we see the devastating impact that fires and accidents can have on families, and many of these incidents are preventable.
“Our priority is keeping everyone safe while they enjoy the festive season. These simple tips can make a big difference and help prevent fires and accidents at home.”
Safety and prevention campaigns like this is a key part of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service’s commitment to keeping our communities safe and resilient. The annual budget consultation which has launched is your opportunity to have your say on funding for the fire service. Complete the survey and have your say: www.research.net/r/OPFCCPR25
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28 November 2025
People now have a chance to comment on proposed traffic and active travel changes in the Abington area of Northampton.
The consultation, launching today (Friday 28 November 2025), seeks views on proposals to improve safety, accessibility, walking and cycling links around the Abington Park area.
The scheme forms part of the wider Northampton Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), supported through the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and central government transport grants.
What’s being proposed
Following consultation in spring 2023 and a review of feedback received, West Northamptonshire Council has refined the design for Phase 3 of the scheme, which focuses on Abington Park Crescent and the junction with Park Avenue South and King Edward Road.
Key elements now being consulted on include:
- A simplified layout of the junction of Park Avenue South, Abington Park Crescent and King Edward Road in response to residents’ safety concerns raised during the previous consultation
- Closure of the eastern end of King Edward Road to reduce the risk of accidents caused by vehicles crossing from or toward Abington Park Crescent
- A proposed one-way system on part of Abington Park Crescent, enabling new walking and cycling facilities while maintaining vehicle access for residents and visitors
- Formalised parking arrangements to reduce obstructive footway parking and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists
- Upgraded facilities in Abington Park for users, promoting the park as an important local destination.
This work is particularly important as Park Avenue South (the A5095) is a strategic route on the road network and is therefore extremely busy.
These proposals follow improvements in December 2024 at the southern end of the Park Avenue South junction with Billing Road and Rushmere Road, along with confirmation of Phase 2 works for the remaining length of Park Avenue South and Bridgewater Drive, due for delivery in early 2026.
Councillor Richard Butler, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “This consultation is everyone’s opportunity to influence how these plans progress.
“We recognise that people are likely to have strong views about some of the proposed changes, particularly the junction redesign and the one-way system.
“We have already listened carefully to residents once, and their feedback significantly shaped the revised scheme. We want to hear from everyone again before final decisions are made.”
Why these changes are being considered
The proposed designs aim to:
- Create safer, more accessible routes for pedestrians, cyclists, and those with reduced mobility
- Reduce congestion and traffic conflicts around Abington Park
- Support healthier, cleaner and more sustainable travel options, in line with the Council’s emerging Local Transport Plan and broader active travel objectives.
The consultation runs from 28 November 2025 until Sunday 18 January 2026. Residents can view the full proposals, speak with staff or submit comments via:
Next steps
Following the consultation, all feedback will be reviewed and published. The outcomes will directly influence whether the proposals move forward, or how they are adapted prior to detailed design and implementation.
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Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service joined forces with paramedic students from the University of Northampton for a training exercise designed to strengthen joint emergency response skills during Road Safety Week.
The exercise, a simulated road traffic collision between two cars, took place at Mereway Fire Station and provided the crews and 10, third-year paramedic students with a realistic environment to test and practise their skills alongside emergency service colleagues that they would encounter in a real-life accident.
Firefighters from Mereway and The Mounts used their training to safely secure and stabilise the vehicles before using equipment and tools to remove the doors and roof of one of the cars. This created safe access for the paramedic students to reach and treat the ‘casualties’.
Played by the Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadets, the ‘casualties’ acted out injuries and reactions to the incident, adding authenticity and realism, giving the students practical experience in a safe environment.
The exercise showed the importance of teamwork between first-responder partners that is essential at real emergency incidents, ensuring that people who have found themselves needing help can be taken care of safely and efficiently.
Crew Manager Christian Martin from Mereway Fire Station organised the exercise.
He said: “Holding joint exercises in a realistic environment ensures that when we face real emergencies, our crews and our emergency services partners are prepared to work seamlessly together to make sure we keep members of the public safe.
“The scenario gave us the opportunity to refine and put our skills into practice and it was a pleasure to host the students and have them join us in this exercise. I hope it gave them the confidence to be able to tackle real-life incidents in their future careers.”
Ethan Kilby, a third-year student who took part in the exercise said:
“As a Student Paramedic, taking part in the RTC training day really helped me understand more about how different services work together. Having the Fire service and highways present made the scenario feel much more realistic, and it highlighted how important good communication is between everyone on scene.
“Talking with the crews about what they needed from us and practicing how we would deal with several patients at once, really boosted my confidence. It gave me a clearer idea of how much each service supports one another to keep people safe. Overall, it was a genuinely valuable experience.”
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27 November 2025
A Northampton resident has shared how support from a local community organisation funded through West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF), helped her find work and rebuild her life.
JM, a mum of two who came to the UK on a skilled worker visa in 2023, found herself trapped in an exploitative work situation shortly after arriving. Despite selling her family home to fund the move, the promises made by her employer sadly never materialised.
“When the company lost their licence and stopped paying us, everything collapsed,” she said. “I ended up homeless, sleeping in a train station, on buses and in shopfronts. I feared for my life every day. I regretted coming to the UK. I had lost all hope.”
After nearly three months living in unsafe conditions, JM was directed to the United African Association (UAA) - a Northampton-based charity that provides practical and emotional support. The organisation has received £10,274.00 UKSPF funding through WNC to run its IT and Job Club, helping residents gain digital skills, improve employability and access opportunities.
Upon hearing her story and seeing her distress, UAA volunteers acted quickly, providing food, essential items and temporary safe accommodation. JM said this was the turning point in her life.
“They offered me more than food - they gave me back my dignity,” she explained. “Through the IT and Job Club they helped me rewrite my CV, taught me how to look for jobs and supported me every step of the way. I felt human again.”
The project provides attendees with hands-on training in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, as well as safe internet usage, scam awareness and essential employability skills such as CV writing, job searching and interview techniques. The programme has been designed to build both confidence and capability, enabling participants to move into work or further training.
With UAA’s support, JM secured a new sponsorship role and rebuilt her life by finding stable employment and her own accommodation within two months.
“Even now that I’m working and living independently, UAA is still part of my life,” she said. “They helped me when I had nothing, and now they give me opportunities to volunteer and give back. I have seen them change so many lives. They truly have the community at heart.”
“Stories like JM’s show the real and lasting impact that targeted funding can have when we work with trusted community organisations.Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure“Through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we’re proud to partner with groups like the United African Association who not only provide skills and training, but safety, dignity and hope for the people in our communities who need it most.”
Anne Wankiiri, Charity Leader at UAA, added that JM’s story reflects the experience of many people they support, and that the programme continues to empower residents with skills that help them take back control of their futures.
She said: “JM’s journey is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. At UAA, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to rebuild and thrive, no matter the challenges they face. Every success story like JM’s shows the impact of investing in people and communities, and it’s thanks to funding such as the UKSPF which makes this possible.”
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