Amplifying Greyfriars
This stage of engagement has now ended, but your comments and ideas are still welcome via our survey.
Help us amplify the future of Greyfriars by answering our survey!
We are looking at developing a masterplan for the Greyfriars area in Northampton town centre.
Greyfriars includes Belgrave House, Mayorhold Multi-Storey Car Park, Victoria Street Car Park, Corn Exchange
and the site of the former bus station. The map shows this area in orange.
We believe Greyfriars offers a unique chance to support the town centre as a whole.
We think it could infuse Northampton with new life and energy.
This isn't a planning application and the ideas we present here show our emerging
vision. We need your views and ideas to us shape the future of Greyfriars.
This website will guide you through some of these ideas, with a survey at the
end to share your own thoughts.
This is no ordinary site. We want to be inventive in our ideas and to collaborate
with the local community. This is why we call on you to help us shape the future
of Greyfriars.
Look out for orange highlighted hints like this! They will indicate interactive features on the map.
Deetu are conducting this engagement exercise in partnership with West Northamptonshire
Council.
We have asked Studio Egret West (SEW) to start exploring ideas to
transform the place. SEW are known for their approach to co-creation. Through an integrated
approach to architecture, urban design and landscape, they seek to grow places organically,
from day one, building upon what already makes a place special.
The design team want to hear how you think we could make Greyfriars an exciting,
meaningful and attractive place for all.
The survey will close on Sunday 7th January 2024.
Map Key
 | Area of engagement |
An industrial past, an ingenious future
Northampton has an industrial past. Shoemaking, leathercraft and brewing all having a strong history here.
Greyfriars was historically integral to the prosperity of the town. The area has close links to Market Square, which has been a vital centre of commerce for almost 800 years.
The map shows how this area of Northampton looked in 1901. Click on the map markers to read about some key moments in Greyfriars' history and view historic photographs of some local shoe factories.
The former bus station is a key part of Greyfriars from more recent history. Opening in 1976, it operated several key local and regional bus services. The bus station was demolished in 2015, and the land has sat empty since. We want you to input into how we can revamp this space.
Do you have any memories of the area you would like to share? We would love to hear them via our survey! We would then like to share these memories back to the local community.
The map shows how the area looked in 1901. See how many north-south connections used to
run through the site, such as Newland, Greyfriars Street and Albert Street. We would like to
reopen the site and link it back into the town centre.
We want your ideas on how we should change these spaces to bring life back into Greyfriars.
Map Key
| Area of engagement |
 | Key moments in Greyfriars' history |
 | Historic photographs of local factories |
Greyfriars today
At the crossroads between the Market Square and Roadmender, between the Cultural Quarter and the Racecourse, Greyfriars sits empty. A forgotten piece of a town that is calling out for a renewed sense of pride, a meaningful open space, a neighbourhood for all.
The map shows an artist's sketch of how Greyfriars links into the wider town centre. Click on the map markers to see aerial photographs showing how the Greyfriars site looks today.
The former bus station sits derelict at the centre of the Greyfriars site. The Corn Exchange
separates it from the Market Square, two other iconic landmarks of Northampton.
We see an opportunity to revamp these buildings and spaces. To breathe new life into them,
and to meaningfully reconnect these core areas.
We would like to hear your thoughts about the site and local facilities you would like to
see. Your feedback will inspire us as we put our ideas down on paper to create a masterplan.
Map Key
| Aerial photographs of Greyfriars today |
Amp up Northampton
The time has come to amp up Northampton. Let's plug the jack back into Greyfriars and dial up the volume!
The map shows an artist's sketch of one way the site could look. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas!
The Council and the design team have started to identify certain opportunities. We think these themes could all come together to amplify Greyfriars:
- Creativity
- Nature
- Play
- Linkages
- Living
Click on the map markers to see an artist's sketches of how these themes could come together to revamp Greyfriars.
Alongside these themes, sustainability and community will always be at the heart of
what we are doing at Greyfriars. West Northamptonshire Council is committed to achieving
Net Zero on all council operations by 2030, and those of residents and businesses by 2045.
The following sections set down some of our initial thoughts on these themes. We want to
hear your ideas next!
We will listen to your ideas and feedback, using your ideas to shape a masterplan for
Greyfriars. We will be presenting this new masterplan in Spring 2024.
Read on to find out more about some of our initial ideas...
Map Key
 | Artist's sketches of how the site could look |
Creativity: A creative revamp, from day one
Greyfriars has a creative energy that makes it unique. We see a chance to combine this energy with Northampton's industrial culture, to bring Greyfriars to life.
Zoom into the map to see more detail, and click on the map marker to view an artist's sketch of what the northern section of Emporium Way could look like.
We imagine existing buildings reinvented. Street-level spaces will showcase
the shoemaking, leathercraft, brewing, and artistic work of Northamptonians.
The early stages of the masterplan will welcome budding makers and artists.
In time, these creatives might open for retail and build a flourishing and
lively neighbourhood. This would be a natural extension of the cultural
quarter.
We see a unique opportunity to bring life back into the Corn Exchange. This
iconic Northampton building was a once-social hub of the town. Perhaps it
could be used as a music or theatre venue?
These are some of our ideas - what do you think?
Map Key
 | Area of engagement |
| Artist's sketch of how the site could look |
Nature: transform Greyfriars from grey to green
Northampton deserves a real town park. At Greyfriars lies an opportunity to put nature at the heart of the urban fabric.
Zoom into the map to see more detail, and click on the map marker to view an artist's sketch of what the public realm could look like.
We are inspired by the resilient and ever-changing landscape of the River
Nene.
We see an opportunity to bring this beautiful waterside landscape to Greyfriars.
Such as water features amid the landscape, with places to relax, gather and
recreate.
Natural open spaces in the town centre are limited. They are confined to the
river corridor, small suburban pocket parks, and The Racecourse to the north.
The town centre lacks space for nature and spaces for people to relax and enjoy.
Our ambition is to fix this by creating a new park space. This could be a clearly
defined, more tradition park space. Or perhaps a space that runs along the entire
length, interspersed with buildings.
Fill out the survey at the end of this website to let us know what you like about
existing open spaces in Northampton. We would also like to know what you would
like to see in a new one.
These are some of our ideas - what do you think?
Map Key
| Area of engagement |
| Artist's sketch of how the site could look |
Play: Infusing the town with playfulness
Levels, underpasses, underbellies and mounds, reused structures and unloved structures. We will find ways to weave playfulness along the journey at Greyfriars.
Zoom into the map to see more detail, and click on the map marker to view an artist's sketch of what a stepping landscape could look like in front of a revamped Corn Exchange and Belgrave House.
Building on the theme of nature, we could provide opportunities for “play on
the way” in the meandering open spaces. How about outdoor ping pong tables,
and interactive water features for hot summer days?
Thinking creatively, an outdoor amphitheatre could become the focal point of
Greyfriars. A place to draw people into to a social centre. Perhaps this could
be an outdoor venue to accompany a rejuvenated Corn Exchange?
These are some of our ideas - what do you think?
Map Key
| Area of engagement |
| Artist's sketch of how the site could look |
Linkages: Plugging Greyfriars back into Northampton
Greyfriars has sat empty since the demolition of the bus station. It has been hidden from sight and difficult to access. Let's reopen the site and weave it back into the fabric of the town centre.
Zoom into the map to see more detail, and click on the map marker to view an artist's sketch of what a landscaped connection could look like.
We could enhance existing access points and open up new ones. We want to stitch
Greyfriars back together along historical routes that no longer exist.
We believe in the importance of a landscape-led, pedestrian-first approach to
neighbourhoods.
Initially, we would like to amplify and celebrate the importance of Emporium Way.
We would transform this intimidating passage into an inviting route from Market
Square to Greyfriars.
We would like to support pedestrians and cyclists getting around and through the
area. This means thinking more carefully about where vehicles will go.
These are some of our ideas - what do you think?
Map Key
| Area of engagement |
| Artist's sketch of how the site could look |
Living: Bringing the place to life across the spectrum of living
Like many towns across the country, Northampton needs a greater variety of living options. This means enabling the town centre to nurture a diverse community who can all call Northampton home.
Zoom into the map to see more detail, and click on the map marker to view an artist's sketch of what an intergenerational neighbourhood could look like.
We also know that multi-generational neighbourhoods are key to sustaining
happy and healthy communities.
Greyfriars is well-placed to accommodate a range of housing types and tenures.
We could provide later living accommodation at Greyfriars. This would allow older
people to live within a short distance of town centre amenities. They would also
be supported in daily life.
We think the site is ideal for purpose-built student accommodation. This would
bring footfall to town centre businesses. It would take the pressure off many
family homes that currently house students.
Homes for rent and sale will cater for families and smaller households wanting
to live close to the heart of Northampton.
These are some of our ideas - what do you think?
Map Key
| Area of engagement |
| Artist's sketch of how the site could look |
Sustainability: Social, environmental, economic
Sustainability and community will always be at the heart of what we are doing at Greyfriars. This means living in a way that protects our natural resources and opportunities for future generations.
Sustainability has social and economic aspects too. The challenges we face personally and within our communities fall into these categories. Therefore, acting sustainably can help us combat the issues we face daily.
Click on the map markers to read more about our priorities for Greyfriars.
We need to take our efforts further to protect our environment and communities. To
make West Northamptonshire a great place to live. Everyone in our district will benefit
from being more mindful of our actions. We all deserve affordable, renewable energy,
clean air, healthier lifestyles and access to green spaces.
To achieve these goals, we have created our action plan based around the
The Council is committed to:
- achieving Net Zero on all council operations by 2030, and those of residents and businesses by 2045,
- taking a community leadership role for Sustainability in West Northants,
- and ensuring all Council strategies and policies are aligned to and contribute to the delivery of the UN SDGs.
The Area Wide Emissions Baseline report informs and supports our communities, residents,
and businesses to reduce their own emissions. It will help us meet our commitment to
achieve Net Zero West Northamptonshire emissions by 2045.
We want to create a new healthy and safe neighbourhood at Greyfriars. One that enriches
and improves the health and wellbeing of residents and users.
Map Key
| Area of engagement |
 | Our priorities for Greyfriars |
Give us your thoughts
This stage of engagement has now ended, but your comments and ideas are still welcome via our survey.
Thank you for taking the time to read more about some of our ideas for revamping Greyfriars. We hope you will join us in amping up Northampton by answering our survey by Sunday 7th January 2024.
Click on the orange button below to answer the survey, or click the icon on the map.
question_answer Answer the survey here
We would love to hear your ideas, no matter how far-fetched you may think them, for
what could be done with Greyfriars, to help amp up Northampton.
Next steps...
We will listen to your ideas and feedback, using your ideas to shape a masterplan
for Greyfriars.
We will present this new masterplan in Spring 2024, during a second stage of engagement.
This will give you another chance to give your views on our plans. The Council will then look
to submit an outline planning application for Greyfriars.
Map Key
 | Click to answer our survey |
| Artist's sketches of how the site could look |
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