Local businesses and Council working together to improve Northampton town centre

03 February 2026

West Northamptonshire Council is continuing to work closely with businesses and landlords to improve waste storage across Northampton town centre, as part of the Northampton Town Centre Environmental Policy.  

Introduced in May 2024, the policy applies to the inner Northampton town centre, covering the area within the inner ring road. It sets clear expectations for how businesses and landlords should store their bins and dispose of waste, helping to reduce clutter, improve safety, and create a cleaner, more welcoming environment for residents, visitors and businesses alike.  

Since the policy was introduced, the Council’s environmental crime team has engaged with more than 500 businesses, working directly with owners and landlords to explain the requirements, offer guidance and encourage good practice during numerous visits. Information packs have been issued to support this work and ensure businesses understand their responsibilities. Over the coming months, the Council will begin reviewing progress made under the policy, alongside taking next steps around enforcement where appropriate. 

I would like to thank the many businesses and landlords who have already taken the advice on board and made changes to how they store and manage their waste. These early improvements, encouraged by our neighbourhood wardens, are already making a visible difference to the town centre and demonstrate the positive impact that working together can have.
This policy is about working with businesses, not against them. A cleaner, better-managed town centre benefits everyone, businesses, residents and visitors, and education has been a vital first step in making that happen.
We understand that change takes time, particularly where existing contracts are in place, and we’re taking a fair and collaborative approach to support businesses to plan ahead. Where businesses have not complied after a reasonable period of engagement, we have begun to take enforcement action to ensure the requirements of the policy are met. As we review progress, our focus remains on creating a town centre we can all be proud of, while being clear and consistent about expectations for the future. Councillor Andrew Last, Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services

There has been a noticeable visible improvement in our town centre since the adoption of this policy, and we have been working closely with businesses to help them comply with the new requirements.
We continue to offer support to ensure businesses are able to source appropriate collection services and comply with the updated policy, avoiding any future financial penalties.Mark Mullen, operations manager for Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID)

The Northampton Town Centre Environmental Policy forms part of West Northamptonshire Council’s wider commitment to improving public spaces, supporting local businesses and creating places where people want to live, work and spend time. 

For more information, visit the Northampton Town Centre Environmental Policy page on the West Northamptonshire Council website.