It’s not every day you come face-to-face with a triceratops and a T Rex but shoppers heading into Northampton town centre will get up close and personal with the giant beasts as part of a free family fun day.
A collection of dinosaurs will appear throughout Market Square, Abington Street, and other parts of the town centre on Saturday, July 24, as Northampton will be transported back to the Jurassic era, with a host of activities lined up for young adventurers.
Characters including Ritchie the Raptor, Zeus the T Rex and Tank the Triceratops will entertain the crowds on July 24 with retailers and food outlets backing the event in the three-week period from 24 July to August 14 with ‘Dino diner meal deals’ in cafes and restaurants and other food outlets, special offers and ticketed activities.
The event is being staged by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), a group run by business owners to make Northampton a better place to live, shop and work.
Mark Mullen, Northampton BID operations manager, said: “After a year of being unable to hold physical events in our town centre it’s exciting to once again be able to stage a day of unmissable activities that will give families an experience to remember forever.
“It’s going to be a proper prehistoric party, with supersized special guests popping up throughout the day. Lots of our brilliant businesses are already on board, with special offers available in shops, cafes, bars and restaurants not just on July 24 but running over a three week period as part of the celebrations.”
The dinosaurs will initially be in town between 11am and 4pm on Saturday, July 24, before returning for a special performance at The Deco theatre on August 13 and 14.
The event is the first to be staged by the BID as part of a refreshed calendar activities to coincide with the relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions.
In March 2021, businesses voted in favour of renewing the BID for five more years until 2026, securing a significant £1.5 million to be spent on promoting the area.
Businesses pay an annual levy into a collective pot which is used to deliver the BID events, initiatives and projects in line with the BID Business Plan.
The Board is governed by local business people who all give up their time as Board directors on a voluntary basis to help steer the project delivery in line with the BID Business Plan.
