Long-time friends and neighbours from a Northampton neighbourhood are keeping their fingers crossed for their first top gardening prize.

Sandra, Chris, Dee, Jackie, Jacquei and Sandra of Delapre and Far Cotton have this year entered into the RHS East Midlands in Bloom 2018 and RHS Northampton in Bloom 2018 competitions for the first time.

The six women have been working hard for nine months to revamp two gardens on Towcester Road at the Far Cotton Boxing Club and the roundabout near Lancaster Way while keeping to the running theme of Remembrance, marking 100 years since World War One.

The team have been buying their own compost, manure and food pellets, growing and dividing their own flowers and maintaining the gardens in their spare time, for the love of it, they say.

Cotton Land Girls team member Jacquei Abbott said: "Being near Northampton town centre means we have a large property-renters in the area, which tends to result in many residents not investing time or money into their rented gardens.

"What’s more, the dynamic of local residents is currently undergoing quite a big change with the new Riverside University Campus opening in September just one mile away - creating an increasingly young, student, transient population.

"The 'Cotton Land Girls feel this makes our role as sharing gardeners even more important. We hope everyone who lives and travel through our patch see how much we care for our neighbourhood and the pride we take in our community gardens."

Gloucester Nursery School pupils in Camborne Close also chipped in with a helping hand and planted 40 WW1 Wellington Boots on the roundabout and decorating them with drawings of fighter planes and poppies.

Jacquei added: "We’ve been really excited to have them involved in our efforts because the nursery has an active gardening interest and encourage their pupils to get planting at an early age."

David Buchanan is looking forward to stepping out on home soil again and also stepping things up as the Cobblers continue their pre-season preparations with a clash against National League side Barnet on Tuesday night (ko 7.45pm).

After a trio of friendlies at non-League sides Sileby Rangers, St Albans City and Brackley Town as well as the clash with Hull City Under-23s in Spain last week, Town finally step out at the PTS Academy Stadium, with the Bees clash followed by a date against a Manchester United XI on Friday night.

It has been a very successful pre-season to date for the Cobblers, with all the matches won and virtually no injuries sustained, and Buchanan is now focusing on stepping things up a little more ahead of their August 4 opener against Lincoln City.

“It will be nice to get back to Sixfields for the first time in pre-season, and I think it’s important we start to get more minutes under our belts,” said the left-back.

“We have played a lot of 45s, and I think I and some of the lads have had a 60 as well, but I am sure over the course of the next two games there will be at least 90 minutes in the tank in one of them for me.”

The disappointment of relegation back in May was tough to take for Buchanan and his Town squad-mates, but the player insists he and his team-mates are only looking forward, with a successful league two season now the only thing on their minds.

“It has come around quick, and I can’t wait for the season to start,” said the former Preston North End man.

“I think Lincoln are going to be really strong, and they have recruited well in the summer.

“Since the manager has gone in there, they have only gone in one direction, and it is going to be a very tough game.

“But what I always say is we have got a good squad as well, and they are coming to our place on the first day of the season.

“The year we won league two we had a fantastic home record and we have to hit the ground running.”

If Town are to have a successful season, then they are going to have to fully utilise what is still a big squad, and Buchanan believes the signs in pre-season have been good.

“Strength in depth is a major thing, and you need every player over the course of the season to contribute,” said the 32-year-old.

“The game against Hull last week was a good exercise, we got asked a few questions and went 1-0 down, but we ended up winning 3-1, and it’s all about winning no matter who you play against.

“I think the games in pre-season we’ve showed that we look decent.”

A veteran of many years as a professional player having started out at Bury in 2005, Buchanan has been through many a pre-season, and believes the modern trend for clubs travelling abroad for training camps is a positive one.

“I can remember my first pre-season like it was yesterday, although it seems a long time ago now,” said Buchanan.

“It has changed though, because when I first started we never had these trips away or anything like that.

“Now, at every level, it is part of the game because the staff and managers want to get the squad integrated really quickly and build up friendships.

“And it always helps when you’ve got a bit of sun on your back while you are doing it too.”

And he added: “The week in Spain was really good from start to finish, and really well organised by the staff and coaches.

“The players knuckled down and worked hard and did everything that was asked of them.

“It’s been good for the young lads to be part of it, and I think the new lads in the squad have integrated well.

“The squad can only be stronger for it, and when you are a new player going into a club it is always good to get away because you are spending a lot of time with different players and getting to know one another.”

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

MAY 19:

Tony McDonald, aged 27, of no fixed abode, assault; fined £50, compensation £30 and costs £85. Commission of a further offence while on a conditional discharge for harassment; no action taken on breach.

Mohamed Mohamed, aged 34, of Crowthorp Road, Northampton, possession of a class B drug; fined £120, surcharge £30 and costs £85.

Sean Richards, aged 50, of Lime Grove, Bugbrooke, possession of an air weapon in a public place; fined £183, surcharge £30 and costs £85.

Mark Beasley, aged 33, of Grange Road, Eastfield, Northampton, assault; community order made. Another assault; community order made. Offence was racially aggravated; community order made, compensation £50, surcharge £85 and costs £200. Failed to surrender to custody; community order made.

William Bradshaw, aged 37, of St James Park Road, Northampton, stole two bottles of YSL men’s aftershave worth £124 belonging to Debenhams; conditional dischcarge for 12 months, compensaion £124, surcharge of £20 and costs £85.

Terry Fewing, aged 23, of Balmoral Road, Northampton, damaged a door; conditional discharge for 12 months, surcharge £20 and costs £85.

Alexandru Jurinschi, aged 29, of Leslie Road, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 43 mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath ; fined £120, surcharge £30 and costs £85, banned from driving for 14 months.

Amar Tariq, aged 30, of Croughton Close, Northampton, driving while banned; commnity order made, surcharge £85 and costs £85, banned from driving for 18 months. Driving while using a mobile phone; fined £125. No insurance; fined £375. Driving while banned; community order to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, costs £85. No insurance; fined £375.

Vasile Gheorghe, aged 29, of Station Road, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 47mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £120, surcharge £30 and costs £85, banned from driving for 12 months. Obstructed a police officer; fined £80. No insurance; fined £120. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £40.

Mark Chambers, aged 30, of Southolme Court, Thorplands, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; jailed for four weeks, surcharge £115. Resisted a police officer; no separate penalty. Commission of a further offence while on a suspended sentence for racially aggravated assault; no adjudication, dealt with original offence, suspended sentence of eight weeks jail suspended for 12 months imposed. Used threatening or abusive words or behaviour, no separate penalty.

MAY 22

Paul Nelson, aged 61, of High Street, Weedon, breach of a court order; fined £100.

Daniel Jeyes, aged 33, of Talan Rise, Northampton, stole 11 bottles of assorted spirits; jailed for three weeks, surcharge £115. Stole six bottles of assorted spirits; jailed for three weeks concurrent. Stole two bottles of champagne and 14 bottles of Baileys; jailed for three weeks concurrent. Five bottles of assorted spirits; jailed for three weeks concurrent.

The new shirt is all claret, aside from some white trim around the round-neck collar, and is available to buy now from the club shop as well as online at ntfc.clubstore.co.uk.

A club statement on the new shirt, reads: "The new Northampton Town home shirt is made of Nike Dry fabric, designed to move sweat away from your skin.

"The shirt has a performance fit for a streamlined look and features a subtle embossed all-over camo graphic.

"A buttonless placket gives a traditional look to the shirt alongside a white trim around the collar.

"Raglan sleeves eliminate the shoulder seam, to allow a natural range of motion and a comfortable fit.

"The home shirt is complemented with white shorts and socks."

Hundreds of supporters turned out at the open day at the PTS Academy Stadium, and were able to watch the team be put through their paces in an open training session under the watchful eye of boss Dean Austin.

That lasted from 10.30am to midday, and was followed by a mascot race ahead of the new kit reveal.

Supporters then had the chance to meet the first team players and secure pictures and autographs.

As part of the day, which is scheduled to go on until 3pm on Sunday afternoon, there were stadium tours and fun for all of the family with a number of the club's partners attending, offering fun games and activities for supporters of all ages outside of the stadium.

Northants bowler Ben Sanderson was happy to be back in form as he claimed a fantastic five-wicket haul on Sunday.

Sanderson registered impressive figures of five for 53 as Derbyshire were dismissed for 260 on the first day of the County Championship Division Two clash.

It could have been far worse for the home side as they slipped to 113 for five, but 66 from Gary Wilson and 58 from Harvey Hosein helped them post a respectable total.

Nathan Buck claimed three for 62, including his 200th first-class wicket when he bowled Alex Hughes, while Seekkuge Prasanna took two for 60.

It was a morale-boosting bowling effort for the County, who have recently struggled in the Vitality Blast, conceding more than 200 runs in four of their six matches in that competition.

Sanderson had been one of the bowlers targeted by the social media critics, with one labelling him 'the spray cannon'.

And he was delighted to prove his doubters wrong in red-ball cricket.

"It (a good performance) is always nice after you've been spraying it about a bit over the last couple of weeks - I just kept plugging away," Sanderson said.

"We've not been good enough in the T20 - we know that as bowlers - so it's nice to find some form in red-ball cricket."

Northants ended day one on 74 for three, having cruised to 53 without loss.

Ben Duckett was dismissed for 29, Ricardo Vasconcelos departed without scoring and Luke Procter made 30 before he was trapped LBW by Hardus Viljoen.

Alex Wakely (12no) and Buck (1no) will start the second day in the middle.

Rob Horne has been hailed for the ‘huge impact’ he had on Saints during his seven-month spell as a player at Franklin’s Gardens.

The Australian centre, who moved to Northampton from the Waratahs last summer, was forced to retire after suffering full paralysis of his right arm during a clash with Sione Kalamafoni inside the first minute of Saints’ win at Leicester Tigers on April 14.

And it has been decided Saints will switch this season’s home clash with Tigers, which will take place on October 6 (kick-off 3pm), to Twickenham to raise funds for Horne.

The 28-year-old, who recently opted to move back to Australia with his family, will deliver the match ball and attend the game.

And Saints are delighted to be able to provide help for Horne, with the club donating £5 per season ticket holder, and supporters able to make a contribution to the cause when they purchase their tickets.

“It’s hard to comprehend in some ways that Rob only made 21 appearances for Saints because he had a huge impact on the squad and on the club,” said Saints CEO Mark Darbon.

“He was obviously one of our stand-out performers on the pitch and he was a big leader around the place.

“He will be and is being missed as part of our squad and that is why there is such a desire to do something like this for Rob to help provide some ongoing financial support for Rob and give as much help as we can to him.”

Horne was a star man for Saints last season, scoring eight tries in 21 appearances as he picked up the supporters’ and players’ player of the year awards.

But the coaching staff, led by new boss Chris Boyd, are hopeful that they can ensure his absence isn’t felt too keenly.

Darbon said: “Our supporters will have seen how active we've been in the recruitment market over the last few months.

"We're continuing to invest heavily in the squad, with the likes of Dan Biggar, Taqele Naiyaravoro and James Haskell coming to join us, and many others, too.

"Of course the fact we were planning on Rob being around and the fact he will no longer be around means the coaches have had to adjust their thinking a little bit and that definitely influenced some of the recruitment decisions we made towards the back end of the window.

"But we're really excited about the squad.

"Would we rather Rob was here and in the squad? Of course we would because he's a world class player and he had a massive impact here.

"But we're feeling good about the group of players we've got and we're excited for the start of the new season."

There is queueing traffic and delays due to the Towcester roadworks on the M1 southbound from junction 16 for Daventry to junction 15A for the Northampton services/Towcester.

Maintenance work on the A5 in Towcester began today (Monday), resulting in the temporary closure of the road.

A new carriageway surface is being put down, along with improved drainage to prevent flooding, and new kerbs, road studs and road markings.

The work, which is due to last until November, is taking place on the A5 from the road bridge over the River Tove southbound towards the junction of the A5 with Marlow Road, Towcester.

It will also include the reinstatement of a trench over a gas main that runs between the south side of the junction at Brackley and Northampton Road and with The Lindens.

Highways England are closing the road in order to keep the workforce and customers safe.

During the closures Highways England will:

Temporarily close the gaps in the central reservation on the A43, between the junction with Tiffield Road and the junction with Towcester Road, for the safety of our customers

Put in place fully signed diversion routes, which have been agreed with the local authority

Temporarily lift one-way restrictions to enable access and egress for businesses and residents in Park Street and Browns Yard; and businesses, residents and visitors to Chantry Lane and Moat Lane and visitors to St. Lawrence Church

Work will take place Monday to Friday, between 7am and midnight; Saturday, between 7am and 5pm; Sunday, between 8am and 4pm.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and businesses will be open as usual.

Highways England project manager, Dean Holloway, said: “Motorists will benefit from safer, smoother journeys for many years to come thanks to this work.

“We’ll do our best to minimise any disruption and have agreed to increase our usual working hours so we can get the job done as soon as possible.

“In the meantime I’d like to thank people for their patience.”

All planned roadworks may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

Diversions are as follows:

for northbound through traffic – from Old Stratford roundabout north along the A508 to MI junction 15, then M1 north to junction 15a and A43 south to the A5 at Tove roundabout

for southbound through traffic – from Tove roundabout north along the A43 to M1 junction 15a, then M1 south to junction 15 and A508 south to the A5 at Old Stratford roundabout.

Harvey and the previously announced Bobii Lewis will join the pair at the Northampton venue on Saturday, September 1.

Since Samantha’s first cover in 2015, she has amassed an impressive 460 million views, more than 2.1 million likes on Facebook and more than 1.5 million YouTube subscribers.

In December 2016 she was named the Christmas ambassador for McDonald's, fronting their online campaign with a highly successful partnership with You Tube following.

Her debut single, Forgive Forget was released independently and it peeked at number four on the iTunes chart in the UK and number three in Ireland ahead of Virgin EMI and Capitol Records signing her in the summer.

Tickets for the show on September 1 are on sale now and cost from £39.50 before fees.

All tickets are standing. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Admission for under 5s is free.

Tickets are available via www.lhgtickets.com

Officers are looking for witnesses to an incident of criminal damage which happened in Corby on Sunday, July 15.

Sometime between 10.30pm and 11pm, a man was sitting in his black Vauxhall Astra in Holbein Walk when another man ran onto the bonnet and kicked the front windscreen, which shattered.

The offender is described as a 25 to 30-year-old, 5ft 6in, muscular white man with short dark hair and he wore long, dark shorts, a light-coloured T shirt and trainers.

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the crash on Saturday (July 21) at about 7.20pm on Boughton Green Road.

A black Honda Civic travelling, along Boughton Green Road in the direction of the university, was in collision with a cyclist.

The 27-year-old cyclist sustained a serious head injury and was taken to University Hospitals Coventry.

Officers are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information should contact the Northamptonshire Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or call the Drive Watch Hotline on 0800 174645, quoting incident 508 of 21/7/18.

The remains of a white Peugeot moped surrounded by five square metres of burnt grass was spotted on the Racecourse this morning (July 23). A petrol can is also nearby.

Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue were called to the park at 10.30pm yesterday.

Officers believe the fire was the result of arson and are investigating the incident.

Witnesses or anyone who may have information about the fire is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two people have been taken to hospital with serious injuries after their car crashed into a tree in Northamptonshire.

At around 5.30pm on Sunday, July 15 a blue Audi S3 collided with a tree in Cold Ashby Road, between Cold Ashby and Guilsborough.

Both occupants were taken to University Hospital Coventry and are described as being in stable condition.

Officers are appealing for the driver of an orange Ford Focus ST, which was in the area at the time and may have information about the collision, to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Twinfest is back this week with bands from Northampton’s twinned towns of Marburg in Germany and Poitiers in France joining local acts for gigs at across the town.

The opening on Thursday, July 26, is at the Great Hall at the Guildhall in St Giles Street, with The Lamplighter, The Pomfret Arms, Club 43 and The Black Prince all hosting gigs on consecutive days through until Sunday, July 29.

This year sees The Flims and Hyll travelling from Marburg and Mantras from Poitiers.

Twinfest organiser Paul Brown said: “We’re very much looking forward to the return of Twinfest.

“It’s always a joy and privilege to share friendship with the people of our twin towns through the love of music.”

Organisers were able to secure the use of the Great Hall for the first time after meeting former Northampton mayor Gareth Earls in Marburg in March.

Mr Brown said: “Gareth was there for a visit for the 25-year celebration of our twinning.

“We got chatting and I think it was a bit of a surprise to him to see the huge efforts put in to the combine festivals.

“He explained about trying to get the Great Hall in the Guildhall for our opening night. The next day we met up and it was all sorted.”

Thursday’s opening night begins with Kieron Farrow at 7.30pm, followed by Hyll, Drinsipa, The Flims, Mantras, Sarpa Salpa and headliners The Barratts.

On Friday night at the Lamplighter headliners Century City will be joined by Leo Robinson, The Flims, Hyll and Mantras.

Saturday sees Twinfest move to The Pomfret Arms for an all-dayer which begins at 1pm.

Headliners Deaf Trap will be joined by Deep Sea Mountains, Michael Kinder, Duncan Bisatt, Crybb, Kenneth J Nash, Straw Horses, The Flims, Hyll and Mantras.

The same night, there will be an international jam hosted by The Barratts at Club 43.

Twinfest’s final day at The Black Prince is another all-dayer with music again kicking off at 1pm.

Headliners Monarchs will be joined by Mantras, Mio Flux, The Flims, Skirt, Hyll, Pieces, King Purple, The Keepers, Yodaclub and Tome Rose and the Heathen Orchestra.

“Twinfest is very important to Northampton, especially for the artists we put on over the weekend,” explains Mr Brown.

“This year especially, due to Umbrella Fair taking a break and because of the change of format for the last couple of years of the Northampton Music Festival which to me is a great shame.

“There are some venues in this town who are doing some great nights of music and also brave promoters getting new music into this town alongside our local artists."

This year 93 bands applied for 18 slots to be part of Twinfest, with planning starting six months ago.

The Mano Festival in Marburg in March and Les Expressifs in Poitiers give the Twinfest organisers the chance to look at which visiting bands they would like to invite to be part of Twinfest.

“The Mano Festival is on a much larger scale than Twinfest,” explains Mr Brown, “but it’s similar in that it is only a music festival and held in the evenings at venues around the town.

“Marburg is a large university town and the festival is always well attended.

“Les Expressifs in Poitiers is different as it’s not just music for the weekend. It’s a music and art festival where you can watch one punk band who will then be followed by ballet, a juggling act or a two-hour drama play. It covers many areas of the arts throughout the weekend.

“Again, it’s on a much larger scale than Twinfest and is very well supported.”

Explaining the importance of the annual festival to Northampton, Mr Brown said: “Twinfest gives the opportunity for artists to see other bands perform who they maybe wouldn’t go and watch.

“Whatever genre or whatever you like, people should all sit together and share the love of music and show support for each in what they are all trying to achieve.

“That I believe is what a 'music scene' is all about.”

Wristbands for Twinfest cost £6 and allow admission into all Twinfest shows.

Admission into Friday and Saturday events is free with donations accepted.

Admission on the Sunday is £5 for anyone without a weekend wristband.

The ELO Experience is back at Royal & Derngate on Saturday to celebrate the legacy of the iconic band.

Jeff Lynne and The Electric Light Orchestra notched up more combined UK and US Top 40 hits between 1972 and 1986 than any other band of the era.

Blending rock rhythms with classical influences, ELO released many classic albums including A New World Record, Discovery and Out of the Blue. In 2016, Jeff Lynne’s ELO came back to prominence with the release of their new album Alone in the Universe and a UK and World tour.

With more than 12 years' experience, The ELO Experience combine a light show, string section and large screen projection. They headline the Northampton venue on Saturday, July 28 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £25 before fees.

royalandderngate.co.uk

A Daventry man is wanted by police after he failed to appear before Northampton Magistrates' Court last month.

Tyler Testro, 26, was due to face a charge of dangerous driving in the Northampton court on June 14.

The driving incident happened in Morning Star Road, Daventry on August 22, 2017.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Another traveller group has set up camp on an unused road in Duston.

The group of at least five vehicles were seen moving onto the section of road by Sandy Lane last night.

Northamptonshire County Council, which runs the countywide traveller unit, has been contacted for comment.

A Northamptonshire village's marina was raided for propane gas last month.

Between 10pm and 11.30pm on Tuesday, June 12, a black Peugeot 306 was parked at Braunston Marina.

Two men got out of the car, cut off the padlock to a security cage and took seven 13kg bottles of propane gas.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the theft, or anyone who thinks they may recognise those pictured, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 18000332565.

Alternatively, they can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The town centre based, family friendly attraction opens on Thursday, 26 July and will offer all the highlights of the seaside, right on peoples’ door steps.

A giant sand pit, buckets and spades, deck chairs and children’s fairground rides will be opening at the bottom of the market square seven days a week, weather permitting, from 10am to 4pm until Sunday, 2 September.

Other activities such as face painting, selfie boards and a beach bingo treasure hunt around the market stalls will also take place at regular intervals during this time.

Councillor Phil Larratt, deputy leader of the council, said: “Everyone loves the Market Square beach so we are pleased to be welcoming Northampton by the sea back to the Market Square for the seventh year running.

“We hope people take advantage of the family friendly attractions during the school holidays and support the market traders and local businesses too.”

Papers have been submitted to council chiefs to transform an outbuilding on the site of the Plough Hotel, in Bridge Street, into 38 serviced apartments.

Proposals say the building will be four-storeys-high and 35 properties will have one bedroom, while three apartments, on the top floor, will have two bedrooms.

The site is currently used primarily for a surface car park, which serves the adjoining Plough Hotel and also plays host to rear outbuildings, proposed for demolition.

This proposal is for a stand-alone development that is to be built close to the existing Plough Hotel, which is linked to it visually but it is not an extension.

Documents, submitted by Nick Hutchings Architect Limited, outline parking plans: "Car parking is provided to the rear. Whilst there is an overall reduction in parking spaces this is a town centre site.

"It is anticipated that many visitors will arrive by public transport. For those coming by car, parking will be available on a first come basis. Thereafter visitors will use public parking in the town centre.'

A previous planning scheme was submitted to Northampton Borough Council for 56 apartments back in 2016, on this same site, but the plans were rejected and dismissed following an appeal.

Irritated by negative comments and a lack of solutions, Steffans Jewellers’ Wes Suter last month came up with an idea to revive the town centre. Through his ‘put your best foot forward campaign’ Mr Suter is aiming to attract shoemakers into the town centre where he hopes they will open factory outlet shops.

One of the criticisms of the local authority by Mr Suter, and more recently Trickers boss Martin Mason, is more could be done by Northampton Borough Council to lure international tourists into the town centre after they’ve done their rounds of the famous shoe factories - but instead these shoppers just hop on a bus and leave.

During a meeting held last week at the Guildhall, Mr Suter, Trickers boss Martin Mason and council chiefs discussed ways to make Northampton's town centre a better place for visitors.

Mr Suter said Northampton Borough Council was "very receptive" to new ideas and said there were plans to set up a "think tank" where a body of town centre restaurateurs and shop owners could provide feedback to the council.

He said: "Obviously the future of retail is changing - there is a big, big focus on independents. The town recognises that it can't compete with Milton Keynes and, potentially, the new Rushden Lakes, in terms of multiples, but what they are going to focus on is independents and trying to entice some of these independents back into the town - and trying to entice those people to come back.

"Butchers and various other artisan trades [could] really make Northampton a centre of excellence for independent retail. That was encouraging to me because, obviously, we consider ourselves [Steffans Jewellers'] to be one of those."

Sheinmans Opticians, Thackerays and McManus Pub Co. would be good companies to get involved, he said.

Mr Suter added: "We are going to be creating a think tank that we can generate for the restaurants and the independent retailers that can be answerable to the council and we will be an independent body, which they've asked me to set up. We will have some of the independent business owners and some of the vested interest parties [on board too]."

A motion, proposed to Northampton Borough Council by Labour councillor Gareth Eales, won cross-party backing at full council on July 9 to open a shoe and leather goods outlet in the town centre that would promote Northampton’s ‘world class’ boot manufacturers'.

MORE STORIES FROM THE CHRON:

TOWN CENTRE SURVEY: The shops and restaurants you want to see in Northampton...and how you would make it better

SAVE OUR SOLE: Should more be done to revive Northampton town centre's shoe history?

Councillors back campaign to bring shoe manufacturers back to Northampton town centre