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Kettering Town Centre

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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

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Shops and businesses have re-opened across the Borough of Kettering – with work taking place to promote social distancing and safe shopping.

Open for business

Kettering Borough Council have been working closely with local shops, businesses and other organisations, to ensure our high streets opened safely on 15 June following a lengthy period of closure due to the lockdown and coronavirus pandemic. We have provided guidance and support to businesses to introduce new safety measures to ensure social distancing and queue management for visitors. New floor stickers will promote social distancing and safe movement of shoppers around towns and show customers where to queue. Shoppers are encouraged to look out for the new signage and follow the instructions accordingly.

Businesses that would like support or guidance with reopening are asked to email economicdevelopment@kettering.gov.uk

 

Safe and clean

As well as our work with businesses, our town centres will see an enhanced cleaning regime and residents may notice our street cleansing team regularly disinfecting bins and benches. Our wardens are out and about with PCSOs in Kettering, Burton Latimer, Desborough and Rothwell, acting as the eyes and ears for any potential difficulties. Our Environmental Health team continues to monitor and review the town centre to identify any businesses with concerns / further pinch points.

Work is also taking place to make alterations to the bus shelters on Eskdaill Street. Some of the panelling will be removed to improve safety for those using public transport, by making it easier to practice social distancing.

 

FREE Parking

Parking is currently FREE in all Kettering Borough Council car parks, and will remain so until the end of July, before being reassessed.

 

Markets are back!

Markets are back! This week’s markets have been held on Kettering Market Place, where they remain until further notice, to ensure stalls are not blocking the high street and have more space. We are not currently charging for market stalls and have helped all traders set up hand sanitation stations.

 

The future

We’re also looking to improve the street scene including signage and promotional material, as well as delivering public realm improvements through Kettering’s Heritage Action Zone programme (HAZ) and providing a programme of entertainment to encourage footfall whilst maintaining social distance.

As part of this, we’re looking for local street entertainers, musicians, buskers, dancers, acrobats and more to entertain visitors to our town centres. If you think you’ve got what it takes, please contact events@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: “A huge amount of work has gone into helping get high streets ready for re-opening and I thank all those involved in putting these essential measures in place so quickly. Local businesses have been devastated by this pandemic and it is so important for our local economy, local employment and business owners, that we do all we can to ensure they can open safely and start to trade again.”

A webpage has been created with more information about town centres re-opening at www.thisiskettering.com/reopening

Kettering Town Centre Sunset

Historic England has announced that Kettering town centre will receive funding up to £2 million for its town centre, as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone project.

Kettering has been chosen as one of 69 high streets in England to be revitalised by a £95 million cash injection by the government, of which £21.1 million has been allocated to the Midlands.

Earlier this year, Kettering Borough Council submitted an Expression of Interest for £1,985,000 over 4 years, supported by local groups such as Kettering Civic Society, Friends of Museum and Art Gallery, local churches and Kettering Town Centre Partnership.

The next step is to work closely with Historic England to agree a Programme Design, which will confirm the level of funding provided to each area, and what the money should be spent on. This process should be completed by January 2020, with project set to go live in April 2020.

The funding can be used for a variety of projects, including:

  • Completing essential repair works in historic buildings and revealing forgotten features of buildings by restoring shop-fronts and façades.
  • Stimulating commercial investment in high streets by demonstrating how historic sites can be successfully repurposed.
  • Developing education projects and bespoke events to help reposition historic buildings as community hubs at the heart of local towns and villages.
  • Helping address the UK wide skills shortage of heritage professionals in expert fields like stonemasonry and conservation by providing local property owners, residents and businesses with the opportunity to train in these areas.

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Meadow Road Park

Kettering’s Meadow Road Park is now open following the first phase of major improvements!

Visit the town centre destination park and you will find new play equipment, footpaths, safety surfacing, lighting, CCTV and natural seating areas.

Kettering Borough Council improved Meadow Road Park using money from agreements negotiated as part of recent local housing developments. Improvements to this important open space will provide a place to play, work out or relax in a town centre destination park enhanced by the offer of nearby shopping and places to eat.

A consultation took place during December and January to hear the views of local people on the proposals, which were used to influence the final design of the park. 

The park will continue to evolve over the course of the year so expect to see more additions over the coming months, including:

  • New bank slides
  • New picnic benches to complement the current natural rock seating
  • Sand play
  • Fitness zone equipment
  • Further landscaping
  • Fencing to mark the area were dogs must be kept on a lead
  • Planting of silver birch trees
  • New gateway entrance at the top of Meadow Road

Further information will be provided when the second phase of works are underway. You can find out more about the project at www.kettering.gov.uk/meadow-road-park

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Now in its fifth year running, KettFest is a celebration of what our small market town has to offer with arts, music, community and culture.

The festival will run from Friday 12th – Sunday 14th July, kicking off with a launch party at Kafe Bloc and Kettering Art Centre will host Rolling in the Aisles Comedy Club: Special KettFest edition with Radu Isac and Olaf Falafel.

Kettfest 2019 3

Come along on Saturday to see Kettering Town Centre steeped in colour, activity and community spirit with live music, circus workshop, art installations, exhibitions, talks, performances, dance classes, spoken word, art, food and Teenage Market.

There’s plenty of entertainment at the following venues –  

  • Kino Lounge
  • Kettering Library
  • Newlands Centre
  • Bean Hive
  • Toy Box
  • Green Patch
  • Parish Rooms
  • Market Place
  • The Shire Horse
  • The Three Cocks
  • Prince of Wales
  • Toller Church
  • The Yards in conjunction with Schtumfest and Aura

Then relax on Sunday with Kettering & District Art Society monthly art fair at the Kino Lounge and Bands in the Park with Voices Aloud choir at Rockingham Road Pleasure Park.

For the full timetable of activities please visit – www.kettfest.org

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