Why move to Northampton?
Situated approximately 70 miles north of London, 55 miles east of Birmingham, and bordered by eight counties, Northampton provides access to cater to all needs. Now established as a commuter belt hub, Northampton is steeped in history. The Boot and Shoe industry became the lynchpin of the local economy, and Northamptonshire became a world leader in production and style. Although most brands still exist today, many have moved into new ownership, and the region has therefore had to reinvent itself and change its identity. At the heart of this rejuvenation has been the exploitation of the central location and the superb transport links and infrastructure. This has injected new life into the economy and transformed the area, significantly improving its diversity and vibrancy.
The local market
Demand for property in Northampton and the surrounding area remains high, as it is now well established as a commuter belt hub. This is magnified and boosted by an influx of clients viewing Northampton as a viable commuter town due to improved infrastructure with the recent upgrades to Northampton Railway Station and the bus terminal.
Location
Northampton has excellent transport links, being situated next to the M1 Motorway, and is serviced by three separate junctions, 15, 15a, and 16. The A45 joins the M1 to the A14, and in turn, the A1. The mainline railway station has been completely redeveloped and offers a direct line to London Euston, and even the Grand Union Canal runs through the town.
History and sport
Northampton is famed for its rich history in the boot and shoe industry. The industry is still very much associated with the town, with top brands such as Edward Green, Church's, Barkers, Trickers, Crockett and Jones, and Jeffery West all remaining local. The popular film and musical 'Kinky Boots' is based on a true story from one of the many shoe factories in the town. The Guildhall and All Saints Church in the centre of town are fine examples of stunning architecture, but the eye is often drawn to the National Lift Tower when viewing the skyline. The town still has a close association with the Spencer family, with Althorp House, the family home and resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales, situated close by.
Northampton boasts three major professional teams. Northampton Town is the major professional football team, affectionately nicknamed 'The Cobblers' due to the town's proud history in the Shoe Industry. Northampton Saints play at Franklins Gardens and are one of the most prestigious clubs in the country, whilst Northamptonshire Steelbacks have a famed cricketing history and most recently have been multiple times winners of the Twenty20 competition. There are a number of amateur sports within the county that are extremely popular, competitive, and well supported in the community. There are a number of golf courses in the area, including Delapre, Collingtree, the Northamptonshire County Golf Club in Church Brampton, and a host of others. Northampton also has strong links to motorsport, with a close association to Cosworth, AMG, and nearby Silverstone.
Development
Over the recent years, Northampton has benefited from a vast number of developments. A large investment has been made in improving the Northampton Railway Station, Bus Terminal, along with the conversion of a number of former boot and shoe factories and shops into high quality residential and student accomodation. The housing market for houses of multiple occupation has been boosted tremendously by the construction of the University of Northampton Waterside campus, which promises to attract investment into Northampton for years to come.
Properties
Within the town centre itself, there are predominantly Victorian/Edwardian terraced properties and 1930s–1950s semi-detached homes. There is also a good selection of modern purpose-built flats close to the River Nene and town Centre and a large number of warehouses and factories have been sympathetically renovated into residential dwellings. Many fine properties line the main arterial routes into town, such as the Wellingborough Road, Kettering Road, Weedon Road, Harborough Road, and London Road. Suburbs in Kingsthorpe, Duston, Weston Favell, and Delapre offer popular family housing, invariably close to sought-after schooling. To the south of Northampton, there are the extremely popular localities of Hunsbury, Grange Park, Wootton, and Wootton Fields, which are highly sought after due to schooling and transport links. There are also a number of newer developments offering an incredible range of properties, from starter homes to "eco" housing and large detached executive homes. The villages, both inside and outside the town boundary, are highly acclaimed, and most have an extensive range of period property.
Restaurants and shopping
Due to its size, Northampton has an extensive range of shopping facilities. The town centre still has a large open-air market square, and most of the shops are located in pedestrian zones or in the covered Grosvenor Centre, where many high street stores are represented. Within walking distance, there are also a number of other retail parks hosting large brand names. Within the town, there is a strong mix of established brand restaurants and independent restaurants to cater for all. The most recent significant addition has been Rushden Lakes, situated approximately fifteen miles north of Northampton. The large retail park is home to Marks and Spencer, Boots, Frasers, JD Sports, River Island, Next, Primark, H&M, Moss Bros, Decathlon, Clarks, Barbour, Accessorize, Joules, Pandora, Mountain Warehouse, and White Stuff, to name a few. Rushden Lakes is a superb venue with many al fresco areas supported by Costa, Wagamama, Pizza Express, Nando's, Starbucks, Zizzi's, Bills, and many others alongside Cineworld.
