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Kettering residents are being urged to take action to prevent the spread of Covid-19 cases by following local guidance to protect the local community and reduce transmission rates.

We all need to take some simple steps:

  • Limit contact with others outside of your household or bubble
  • Work from home if you can
  • Keep 2 metres from others at all times, use a face covering where you are less than 2 metres apart
  • Avoid using public transport or car sharing, wear face coverings if you cannot avoid these
  • Avoid meeting those outside of your household or bubble in an indoor space
  • Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly for 20 seconds each time
  • Do not share items with others outside of your household or bubble

Covid-19 symptoms include:

  • A high temperature
  • A new, continuous cough
  • A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

If you have Covid-19 symptoms:

  • Do not go to work. Either work from home or report sick, self-isolate and get a test
  • Stay at home, self-isolate and get a test
  • Even if you only have mild Covid-19 symptoms, get a test
  • If you are contacted by test and trace and asked to self-isolate, stay at home for 14 days
coronavirus updated guidance

Coronavirus testing in Kettering

Walk-in coronavirus testing is available in Kettering town centre at a new Local Testing Site (LTS) available at London Road car park, NN15 7QA. The testing site is open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Coronavirus testing in Northamptonshire

There is now a page on the NCC website dedicated to sharing the latest information about COVID-19 testing. The page will be updated twice daily with details of mobile testing centres that are available across the county.

Testing is an important part of keeping COVID-19 under control. If you have symptoms of coronavirus or you have been in close contact with someone who has had symptoms, please self-isolate and get tested as soon as you can. Tests can be booked online or by calling 119. Alternatively, you can order a test which you can do at home.

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Catherine Matthews Art

A new piece of public art by local artist Catherine Matthews has been installed on Gold Street in Kettering as part of the Council’s ongoing campaign to reinvigorate the town centre.

The 2.44m x 1.22m display, which you’ll find opposite the Newlands Centre entrance on the building previously operated by New Look, features a ‘singing in the rain’ theme with an umbrella and lamppost to encourage people to take photos of themselves with the backdrop. The street in the background is based on Kettering’s Market Street and features a duck with wellington boots and a colourful rainbow. Kettering Borough Council commissioned local artist Catherine Matthews to create the art, who also worked on the large-scale mural at Kettering General Hospital’s Dementia Garden.

The project follows on from the Council’s ‘Stay Safe, Shop Local’ campaign which continues to promote the borough’s town centres as safe and vibrant places to visit, whilst supporting local businesses. Plans are in place to install further outdoor public art to enhance the area.

Artist Catherine Matthews with her new piece of public art in Kettering

We’d love to see local people’s selfies, so share your photographs with This is Kettering on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or by using #ThisisKettering

You can find out more about how Kettering town centre has reopened for business and how we’re encouraging people to stay safe and shop local at www.thisiskettering.com/reopening

Catherine Matthews, local artist who created the display, said:

“I am chuffed to bits, it is a real honour to have my art on display in my own town. To be commissioned to create public art at a time like this is fantastic and I hope the people of Kettering enjoy it when they visit.”

Cllr Mark Dearing, Kettering Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said:

“We’ve been looking to bring more public art to the town centre and I’m delighted we’re able to highlight this wonderful design from a local artist. The artwork builds on our ‘Stay Safe, Shop Local’ campaign and we’re happy that it will be seen by so many in such a central location. I’m looking forward to seeing people taking their photos holding the umbrella!”

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Toy Box Kettering
Here’s the second of our new series of videos focusing on local businesses. This video is of Toy Box Kettering, the lovely little toy shop based on Market Street.
 
Toy Box Kettering has just celebrated two years of being open in the town centre selling a wide range of wooden and educational toys and games. You can see more on their website www.toyboxkettering.com and they now offer home delivery too.
Find out more about what’s happening in the Borough’s town centres at www.thisiskettering.com/reopening

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Play areas, outdoor gyms and skateparks operated by Kettering Borough Council are set to reopen over the next few days.  With over 40 sites to open we are working to inspect and clean all the sites prior to opening.

The following most highly used sites will be opened on Saturday 4th July:

Ashley

  • Main Street play area

Barton Seagrave

  • Yately Drive play area

Burton Latimer

  • King George V play area
  • Woodford Road play area

Desborough

  • Dunkirk Recreation Ground
  • Leisure Centre Play Area
  • Rushton Road Play Area

Geddington

  • Queen Street Play Area

Kettering

  • Brambleside Play Area
  • Grafton Street Play Area
  • Hall Meadow Play Area
  • Ise Valley Skate & MUGA
  • Langley Way Toddlers Play Area
  • Meadow Road Play Area
  • Mill Road Play Area
  • Rockingham Road Pleasure Park

Mawsley

  • Mawsley Adventure Park

Rothwell

  • Well Lane Community Centre Play Area

Other sites across the district will be opened early next week.  Please do not use sites until they have been opened and cleaned by our staff.

Signs will be in place advising how to use the areas safely, which includes

  • Using hand sanitiser before and after using equipment and avoid touching face and mouth whilst using equipment
  • Maintaining social distancing
  • Maximum number of recommended persons on the site at any one time
  • Avoid using equipment at busy times

In addition we would advise that

  • If anyone in your family are showing symptoms of Covid-19 you do not use the play area, please follow Government advice regarding self-isolation
  • Only one adult/guardian should accompany a child within the play area, and children should be supervised
  • At busy times please limit your time at the play area to allow others the opportunity to use the site
  • Do not eat or drink in the play / gym area
  • Some pieces of equipment may have been removed to assist in complying with social distancing
  • You are using this play and gym equipment at your own risk

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Weve missed you

With government regulations set to change on 4th July to allow the reopening of pubs and restaurants, we’ve looked into which venues in borough of Kettering are planning on opening, and when.

You’ll find that each venue has introduced new measures to ensure that they open safely for customers and staff whilst maintaining social distancing. Some of these changes include table booking only, limited numbers per table, more spaced out and outdoor seating, limited opening times, hand sanitisation stations and more. We’ve included links to their social media pages with more detail on the changes each pub will be making. If you’re planning a trip to a pub or restaurant now make sure you follow the latest Government guidance to stay safe www.gov.uk/coronavirus

If you are aware of any changes to the information below, or have details for any places we have missed, please let us know by messaging our This is Kettering facebook page, or email thisiskettering@kettering.gov.uk

You can find out more about how Kettering town centre is reopening for business and how we’re encouraging people to stay safe and shop local at www.thisiskettering.com/reopening

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Opened on Saturday 4th July

Billionaires – Billionaires will reopen on 4th July, working on a table service system for food and drinks. Their bars will be open from 11am daily and the kitchen will be open from 12-3 5-9pm. Full details of the changes can be found in this Facebook post.

The Shire Horse – The Shire Horse will re-open on Saturday 4th July at 12pm. They have made significant changes to adhere to government guidelines and to protect customers and staff; booking of tables are advised. Full details of the changes can be found in this Facebook post.

Old Market Inn – The Old Market Inn will open on Saturday 4th July. They won’t be taking bookings, but this is only until they’re familiar with our new ways of working so until further notice it will be walk in only.

Earl of Dalkeith  – The Earl of Dalkeith will open as normal but will be closing 1 hour earlier.

The Peacock Inn – Plan to reopen on 4th July with opening times changed to midday, daily.

The Wayfarers – Reopening at 12 noon on Saturday 4th July.

Trading Post – Set to reopen on 4th July with seating for 150 people internally and 56 people externally and are encouraging bookings for both diners and drinkers. Their facebook page contains lots of videos answering questions on how they will be doing things differently.

The Red Lion, Cranford – Reopening 4th July with maximum table sizes of 6 people, with bookings and deposits required. There will also be tables available for drinkers only with more details on facebook.

The Piper – Reopening on 4th July from 11am with their usual opening hours and a no table, no service rule in place.

The Olde Victoria, Burton Latimer – Opening at 10am on 4th July, and reopening for food on 8th July.

The Briars – Reopening at 12 noon on Saturday 4th July.

The Harlequin – Reopening at 12 noon on Saturday 4th July.

The R Inn Bar and Grill, Desborough – reopening at midday on Saturday 4th July. They’ve made a great video on their facebook page showing what you can expect from the changes they have made.

The Raj – reopening on 4th July with new outdoor seating among other changes.

Exotic Dining – reopening on 4th July with bookings available.

White Horse Inn, Stoke Albany – reopened on 4th July.

The Swan, Braybrooke – reopened on 4th July.

Kushboo, Burton Latimer – reopened on 4th July.

Mu Mu – reopened on 4th July.

Rising Sun – reopened on 4th July.

Casa di Roma – reopened on 4th July.

Stirrup Cup, Barton Seagrave – reopened on 4th July

Confirmed to reopen in the coming weeks

Kino Lounge – Kino Lounge will open from Wednesday 8th July for not only dining service, but also takeaway.

Midland Band Club – Reopening from 7pm on Wednesday 8th July for members only.

Aura – Aura is set to reopen on Friday 10th July, from 2pm – 12:30am on Fridays and Saturdays. Table bookings are advised, with a small deposit and a maximum of 6 people per table, subject to a time limit. New outdoor seating will be available, and ID will be required from each person upon entry where your details will be held in our secure system for 21 days, for your safety.

Hobson’s Choice – Reopening on Monday 6th July for dining.

Sonora Mexican Kitchen – Look forward to welcoming you back on the 9th July, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays as they begin to build up again.

The George, Desborough – set to reopen on 13th July.

Telford Lodge Brewers Fayre – Reopening on 30th July – available to book from 17th July.

Kettering town centre bars that aren’t opening yet

Abacus – no plans on social media

Decades – no plans on social media

Pop Central – yet to decide

Rising Sun – no information on social media

Stitching Pony – say to keep an eye on their social media for an announcement on when they’ll reopen

Open for business

Stay Safe, Shop Local: Montagu Street footpaths widened to ease social distancing

A number of changes are being made to make Kettering town centre safer for businesses and visitors, and to encourage social distancing.

Kettering Borough and Northamptonshire County Councils are working together to remove the parking spaces on Montagu Street from Thursday 25th June, to widen the footpath and create a safer area for pedestrians. Parking has been suspended in Montagu Street and surface improvements have been made, along with the erection of temporary barriers. Parking space for 4-5 cars will remain on the street, towards the junction with Eskdaill Street.

A survey of the town centre has been undertaken to identify ways of helping business to recover, alongside providing a safe environment for people to move around. A number of further initiatives will be undertaken in the coming weeks, the first one of which will be the changes to Montagu Street. Visitors are reminded that parking is currently FREE in all Kettering Borough Council car parks, including nearby in School Lane, and will remain so until the end of July, before being reassessed.

Following the reopening of high streets on 15th June, the following changes have also been made in Kettering:

  • Panelling on the bus shelters on Eskdaill Street have been removed to improve safety for those using public transport, by making it easier to practice social distancing.
  • Signage and floor stickers have been provided to businesses to help queue management
  • our town centres have benefited from an enhanced cleaning regime with high contact points such as bins and benches disinfected regularly
  • KBC Wardens are out and about with PCSOs in Kettering, Burton Latimer, Desborough and Rothwell, acting as the eyes and ears for any potential difficulties
  • Environmental Health Officers continue to monitor and review the town centre to identify any businesses with concerns / further pinch points.

You can find out more about how Kettering town centre is reopening for business and how we’re encouraging people to stay safe and shop local at www.thisiskettering.com/reopening

If you have any queries on these initiatives, please contact Kettering Borough Council by e-mail at: towncentre@kettering.gov.uk

Cllr Mark Dearing, Kettering Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said: “As Kettering Borough’s town centres are reopening to the public, we’re working closely with businesses and encouraging visitors to stay safe and shop local. All possible measures have been put in place to help create a very safe and pleasurable shopping experience and I encourage people to support local businesses, now they have reopened, to help them get back on track.”

Rochelle Mathieson, Head of Commercial Development at Kettering Borough Council, said: “We want to encourage more people into the town centre as more businesses reopen, and for all those living, working and visiting the town centre to feel safe. We will also make sure we review the actions we are taking to establish their effectiveness.”

Kafe Bloc
Here’s the first of our new series of videos focussing on local businesses. This video is of the popular Kafe Bloc, based on Sheep Street in Kettering. Find out more about what’s on offer in their cafe and how they changed their offer to include groceries during lockdown, plus plans to open a deli in July.
 

Find out more about what’s happening in the Borough’s town centres at www.thisiskettering.com/reopening

Keep Healthy Kettering Walking Football

Kettering Borough Council has introduced a new service for local people who are looking to improve their wellbeing, remain active and make healthier life choices.

Following the success of Beat the Street and last year’s Health & Wellbeing Festival, the Council is launching Keep Healthy Kettering which provides a variety of activities and support available from the Council, including: walking football, exercise sessions for ages 65+, health walks, outdoor gyms, and a variety of other activities. In addition, you will be able to find out about activity sessions for young people taking place throughout the school holidays.

The service aims to promote local health and wellness related offers near to you, including how you can join in national health campaigns and access local support. The new project seeks to highlight ways to achieve a more healthy and active lifestyle with something for all ages and abilities.

We’re also delighted to announce that the Kettering Borough Health & Wellbeing Festival will be returning this year, and will be held in two different locations:

  • Kettering Town Centre: Saturday 13th June, 10am – 3pm.
  • Boughton House: Sunday 14th June, 10am – 4pm.

 

The festival was held for the first time last year and following its success it’s back even bigger for 2020, with more activities, games, stalls, demonstrations and talks for the whole family to enjoy. If you’re interested in getting involved in the event, you can sign up at: www.kettering.gov.uk/healthfest

To get the latest updates on Keep Healthy Kettering, you can:

For more information, call Kettering Borough Council on 01536 410333 or email keephealthy@kettering.gov.uk.

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Tate Museum comes to Kettering - 2020 vision

Kettering’s art collection is renowned for its classical artworks from masters like Thomas Cooper Gotch and Sir Alfred East, but amongst the huge Victorian landscapes and the gilt-edged frames, there are equally important examples of contemporary art. Artwork that inspires, innovates, and push forward into new territory.

This January, artwork from Tate will travel to Kettering for the first time and feature in a stunning new exhibition in the Alfred East Art Gallery. Contemporary work from artists such as Leon Kossoff and Howard Hodgkin will be exhibiting in Kettering’s art gallery, complementing and showcasing the wide variety of art in our own collection.

Key loans for the 2020 vision exhibition have been made possible through the Ferryman Project: Sharing Works of Art which is supported by national Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the John Ellerman Foundation and Art Fund.

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Leon Kossoff, Willesden Junction, Summer 1966, oil ©Artistic Estate of Leon Kossoff

Dinner at West Hill

Howard Hodgkin, Dinner at West Hill, 1963 – 1966, oil on canvas, ©The Estate of Howard

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Gordon Smith, Fern, print c.1970 ©Gordon Smith, courtesy of Equinox Gallery

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Gordon Smith, Horizontal Red, print c.1970 ©Gordon Smith, courtesy of Equinox Gallery

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Gordon Smith, December Orange, print c.1970 ©Gordon Smith, courtesy of Equinox Gallery

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Dinner at West Hill
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Launch Night

Friday 24th January, 6pm – 8pm

Join us for the opening night to be one of the first to see this stunning art.

Alongside the exhibition, the Alfred East Art Gallery will host a series of events on contemporary art:

Lunchtime Talk: Modern Art and St Ives 1920-1985 by Ian Luck

Friday 31st January, 1pm

Referencing artists from the Alfred East Art Gallery’s permanent collection, this talk by renowned local artist Ian Luck focuses on St Ives and the important role it played in 20th Century art.

  • Refreshments served from 12.30
  • Tickets: £5 (£3.50 with Kettering Leisure Pass)

Film Night: Lucian Freud – A Self Portrait

Friday 31st January, 7pm

One of the most celebrated painters of our time, Lucian Freud is one of very few 20th-century artists who portrayed themselves with such consistency. Spanning nearly seven decades, his self-portraits give a fascinating insight into both his psyche and his development as a painter, from his earliest portrait painted in 1939 to the final one executed 64 years later. Now together in one intensely compelling film, his portraits represent an engrossing study into the dynamic of ageing and the process of self-representation. 

  • Tickets: £10 (£8.50 for Kettering Leisure Pass holders and Students)
  • Refreshments included
  • Limited spaces, booking is essential

Children’s Workshops

Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th February 2020

In conjunction with two local secondary schools, The Alfred East Art Gallery will host art workshops, where students will focus on the works on loan from Tate. The finished results will then be displayed in the gallery space as part of the 2020 Vision exhibition.

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TV Star Will Mellor will help kick off Christmas in Kettering this year by turning on the town’s lights at the eagerly anticipated ‘BIG Switch On’ event.  The Hollyoaks and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps star will take to the stage on Kettering Market Place on Thursday 28th November as part of a fun festive schedule.

 

The BIG Switch on will run from 4pm-8pm, hosted by local community radio station Shire Sounds.  In addition to Will, the event will feature CBBC’s Ed Petrie from the Lighthouse Theatre’s Panto ‘Cinderella’, plus live music and entertainment for the whole family. YouthWorks and Johnny’s Happy Place’s Lantern Parade will once again conclude at the Market Place to join the celebrations. The town’s festive celebrations will include performances from Beat Project Dance Company, KLF Choir (Kingsley & Red Kite Academy), Kettering Town Silver Band, Kettering Singer Vicki Becks plus duets with Kara Smith and Dave Lee and Kettering’s Own Ska, New Wave and Punk band The Fevers, plus a funfair, vortex, fire engine, Kettering Lions’ Santa Sleigh, street performers, a giant polar bear and much more!

There will be plenty of chances to support your local town centre with a special Christmas Market on Kettering Market Place on Thursday 5th December and the return of Small Business Saturday and the Teenage Market on Saturday 7th December. There’ll also be the chance to get your skates on and enjoy a free ice rink and curling lane at our Christmas Fun Day on the Market Place on Saturday 14th December, 10am-4pm. Join us for a festive singalong with Christmas Carols with Mrs Claus and Kettering Citadel Band and choir on Saturday 21st December from 2pm on the Market Place!

As part of the Christmas festivities, and to support local businesses, Kettering Borough Council is offering FREE parking in its town centre car parks on the following days in December*:

  • all day on Saturday 7th, 14th and 21st December 2019, and
  • after 3pm on Thursday 28th November, and 5th, 12th and 19th December 2019

These dates are in addition to the free parking that already operates in Council owned car parks on Sundays (all day) and evenings (after 6pm).

More information about Christmas in Kettering can be found at www.thisiskettering.com/christmas

Programme 2019

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