THE plans to bring a former brewery site in Kingswell Street back to life - producing a traditional Northampton beer to boot - is a fantastic development for the town.
The brewery has sat empty for decades but will soon start turning out the famous Phipps beer using the King’s Well which once supplied water to the Castle.
In addition, whisky production is also planned on the site that, with the help of nearby Carlsberg, will create jobs in both the brewery and the on-site pub where drinkers can see the brown stuff being produced while they sup their pints.
This brilliant, ambitious project ticks so many boxes: Urban regeneration, job creation and heritage restoration to name but a few.
It is also symptomatic of the positive vibe that is sweeping through Northampton at the moment after years of apparent inertia. Only a short distance away, the Balloon Bar - ravaged by the Bridge Street fire of January 2012 - is also set to re-open its doors, providing another venue for visitors to the town. Keep it going!
Brian Binley, now thankfully in remission from cancer, has revealed he plans to stand down as an MP in 2015 after eight years. He has served his constituents well, never been afraid to show a rebellious streak when required and always championed our town. We wish him our very best.