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21 March 2024
Plans to transform the vacant Market Walk shopping centre in Northampton town centre have been given the go ahead by West Northamptonshire Councillors at the Strategic Planning Committee this week (19 March).
Leisure developer STACK’s planning application will see the creation of an exciting and innovative entertainment hub with independent street food outlets, bars and a dedicated space for interactive games. The scheme also includes a main stage, which will be used for live music and entertainment.
The facility is set to be the first in the Midlands and will enhance the town’s vibrancy and vitality, supporting both the daytime and night-time economy and complementing the adjacent ongoing transformation of the historic Market Square and public realm of Abington Street and Fish Street.
STACK completed on the site in August 2023 and the planning approval takes it one step forward, license approval is still pending but once granted the design development can be progressed to the next stage.
The scheme is being supported by the council, which is providing up to £4.2m investment through the Towns Fund, with a further £8m investment from STACK which will enable the space to be transformed into a new leisure, entertainment, and social community hub.
“I am delighted that plans for STACK’s first facility in the Midlands have been given the go ahead and look forward to seeing works begin to set up this innovative entertainment space in the heart of Northampton town centre.Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth at West Northamptonshire Council, said:“STACK offers something truly unique for our town centre and will see footfall increase significantly, attracting more families and people who might not normally have visited the area.
“Together with our other regeneration projects, the leisure economy in Northampton is set to rocket and provide a diverse mix of entertainment, food and drink, and retail opportunities which will benefit residents, local businesses and traders.”
The plans for a STACK in Northampton are the latest in a number of announcements made by the company as it rolls out its master plan to become a nationally recognised brand.
“We are thrilled that we can now start to move forward with our plans to bring STACK to Northampton and to create an exciting leisure destination for local residents and visitors.”Neill Winch, CEO of STACK“STACK will play a vital role in the plans to regenerate the Market Square area – of which Market Walk Shopping Centre is a part – and which will make a massive, positive difference to the local economy.”
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21 March 2024
Residents in Towcester are being further protected from drug-related anti-social behaviour after their Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) worked with partners to extend a closure order on a problem property.
Back in December, Northamptonshire Police and West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Anti-Social Behaviour team successfully obtained a three-month closure order to board up a property in Caernarvon Close under Part 4 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Reports from residents had highlighted the council-owned property was being used for the supply and use of illegal drugs and attracting persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB), causing alarm and distress to people in the area.
With the original order due to expire on March 7, to guard against the chance of the displaced occupant trying to return officers from Towcester NPT again worked with WNC and Grand Union Housing colleagues to apply for an extension until May 21, 2024.
This was granted on February 22 at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, meaning the only people allowed to enter the property during this time are the emergency services and Grand Union Housing staff. Anyone else who goes inside will be committing a criminal offence and can be arrested.
We’re really pleased to see this extension order granted, as our priority has been to prevent any recurrence of the disorder that was previously associated with this address.PC Jim King, of Towcester NPTWe know how much the local community was affected by this criminality and ASB and it’s great to know that will continue to be prevented by this order.
We take crime and ASB seriously and will always seek to use the appropriate legislation to target those that cause alarm or distress in our communities.Sergeant Wyn Hughes, anti-social behaviour lead at the ForceIf you suffer ASB issues where you live, please report it so we and our partners can help.
I am pleased this extension order has been granted as a result of a partnership effort. This closure order demonstrates that we are passionate about listening to residents and creating safer communities, and I strongly urge any victims of anti-social behaviour to report it immediately and not suffer in silence. Anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on the lives of victims and as a council we are committed to tackling the growing challenges around this crime.Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory Services
Report non-emergency ASB, crime and suspicious activity by calling 101 or online at Northants Police. In an emergency, always call 999.
Find advice and support on ASB
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21 March 2024
Royal Wedding Choir Director Karen Gibson MBE will exclusively perform alongside a 200-person West Northants based super choir – with ‘Black Panther’ soundtrack vocalist, Downton Abbey String Quartet, Blur’s backing singer plus many more local acts completing the line-up. Here’s what we know about Collide: A ChoirFest Experience.
Limited tickets are still available for Collide: A ChoirFest Experience featuring special guest Karen Gibson MBE, famed for her performance at the Duke and Dutchess of Sussex’s wedding, as excitement is at an all-time high for the hotly anticipated groundbreaking show coming to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate Theatre on Saturday 30 March.
Promising to be a perfect music event for the Easter bank holiday weekend, the stage is set for an unmissable musical experience for lovers of all genres and styles; from pop to disco, and rock to gospel, there’s something for everyone. 200 voices from across West Northants; including a Gospel Choir, accomplished solo singers, and performers from Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) will all join the stellar lineup, with the night being hosted by Blur backing vocalist Wendi Rose and popular local broadcaster John Griff.
Meet the hosts
London based radio host and live show presenter, Wendi ‘Rubee’ Rose is an experienced and charismatic backing singer who has toured the world many times over, performing at major venues from Sydney Opera House to Madison Square Garden with some of music’s top artists including Blur, duetting with Nick Cave, Mariah Carey, Sam Smith, Stormzy, Sir Paul McCartney and the late Tina Turner.
She served as the principal choir director for the London Community Gospel Choir for over 15 years, citing meeting the great Nelson Mandela and HM Queen Elizabeth II as two memorable moments.
Wendi's infectious humour, fun nature and warm personality will be a welcome addition to the exhilarating show format as she hosts Collide: A ChoirFest Experience alongside Northants’ very own John Griff.
A firm favourite with listeners, John's voice has been heard over local and national radio airways for over three decades. A columnist for the Northampton Chronicle and Echo newspaper, John is a professional podcast producer and presenter, having worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Northamptonshire Police and Chester House Estate teams, amongst others.
Away from work, John is a Trustee of the Nene Rivers Trust and an Ambassador of both the Northamptonshire Community Foundation and Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT).
The amazing work of NMPAT will also be championed on the night by performers from the county’s biggest, most impactful arts teaching provider. As one of the official charities of choice for the event, NMPAT are set to deliver a breath-taking moment during the unforgettable night of music and electrifying performances. Having provided children and young people with musical and artistic opportunities for well over 4 decades, their Saturday Music and Performing Arts Centres, extensive programme of concerts and events, plus individual music lessons demonstrate their reach and dedication to The Arts within Northamptonshire and beyond.
Meet the performers
In addition, local singers Joely Wright and Lufuno Ndou will deliver stunning solo performances, billed as breathtaking, standout moments representing the rich musical offering across the area.
Lufuno Ndou is a South African-born Mezzo-Soprano who grew up in Northampton. She then went on to study at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, record music for the Black Panther films, perform with the Pegasus Opera Company, and sing with Chineke! Orchestra at the 2022 BBC Proms.
Hailing from Kingsthorpe, Northampton, Joely Wright will bring her passion and love for musical theatre to Collide: A ChoirFest Experience as she represents the Northants Youth Music 23 project (NYM23). A voluntary run organisation, NYM23 is developing work to create opportunities for singers and musicians (18-30) to facilitate their continual musical development at every stage in their journey. Having opened the 2023 Community Foundation Awards Ceremony at the Royal Theatre, Joely has proved a talented, popular ambassador for NYM23. Joely has graduated from SLP College with a Level 6 Trinity Diploma in Musical Theatre, with ambitions to perform on West End stages.
Featuring specially arranged mass ensemble pieces created and conducted by award winning, Music Director Gareth Fuller, the evening is set against a backdrop of an all-star live band and string quartet plus full production crew all credited with supporting A-list music artists at iconic international venues and festivals.
“It is an honour to share the stage with Karen Gibson at Collide: A ChoirFest Experience, which promises to be an extraordinary production showcasing the amazing music across West Northants."Gareth Fuller, Choir Director at Liam Gallaher’s sell out Knebworth shows.“The event will shine a spotlight on the impact of differing musical backgrounds, genres and disciplines all joining one stage. It is a pleasure to be part of this magnificent occasion in West Northants music.”
“I am thrilled that West Northamptonshire is the chosen destination for such big household names to deliver what is set to be a showstopping event."Councillor Adam Brown, Deputy Leader of West Northamptonshire Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure.“Collide: A ChoirFest Experience is the largest multi-genre choir performance to take place in our area yet, featuring some of West Northamptonshire’s finest local and community choirs, talented soloists and inspiring performers from NMPAT, showcasing the fantastic musical offering we have here in West Northants. I strongly urge everyone to buy their tickets now to avoid disappointment.”
Tickets for Collide: A ChoirFest Experience are on sale now, available from Royal and Derngate.
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21 March 2024
Please see our statement below on an increase in demand for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities:
“We are aware of the planned demonstration from a group of parents today and continue to encourage them to join the many other SEND families who are working together with us and our partners on tackling these challenges.
“As a Council and as a partnership we have been open in recognising the challenges we face in terms of a significant shortfall of provision for SEND places across West Northants and overdue education, health and care needs assessments and the impact this is having on our children, young people and their families.
“We know the partnership has not delivered the services it should, and we are working extremely hard to put in solutions for this, including our plans to create an additional 600 places for children and young people with SEND by Autumn 2025 which we are on track to complete. We know this isn’t an instant solution and it will take time to embed, however these issues are unfortunately not a quick fix and are challenges being felt by local authorities across the country.
“We have also invested and continue to do so, in additional resources, such as additional EPs to address our timeliness, but we have been open that this will take time to address the issues which we have in ensuring children with SEN receive the best support possible and in a timely manner. We know we are not there yet, but we are doing all we can to improve this.”
“As we are sure most will be aware, we currently have our Local Area SEND Inspection, which will enable us to consider the services further and we will lake learning from their findings to continue to improve services.”
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21 March 2024
Residents can do their bit for the democratic process while earning themselves some extra money by taking up a role in the upcoming elections.
With the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) election scheduled for 2 May and a General Election anticipated before the end of this year, people are encouraged to consider a range of casual employment opportunities with the dedicated team responsible for organising elections in West Northamptonshire.
A variety of roles are available, with Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks in rural areas in particular needed to greet voters and issue ballot papers at polling stations. People are also needed to count votes after close of polls.
Find out more and view detailed job descriptions
No prior experience in election administration is necessary as comprehensive training will be provided, however, applicants must be available to work outside of normal office hours to meet the demands of election and canvassing activities.
At every election we employ hundreds of staff to ensure that the process runs smoothly, openly and transparently for voters across West Northamptonshire and we always welcome residents to be part of this major effort.Anna Earnshaw, Returning Officer for the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner electionNot only does it allow people to make their own valuable contribution towards the elections process and shaping the future of their area but they can also earn some extra income in doing so.
I would encourage anyone interested in doing their bit to go on our website and have a look at the many opportunities available.
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