Kettering is a medium sized former market town. It is the main commercial centre in the north and east of Northamptonshire. It is located in the rolling rural landscape of the countryside of Northamptonshire, almost in the centre of England.

Population has expanded in recent years to over 80,000. The borough has excellent road links. The A14 dual carriageway, linking the M1/M6 with the A1 and east coast ports has helped attract many manufacturing and distribution companies to the area in the past 10 years.

Easy access to the M1/M6/M11 and A1 puts Kettering within easy reach of several airports. (Approximate travelling times by road: London Luton - 1 hour, Birmingham - 1 hour, East Midlands - 1 hour, London Stansted - 1½ hours).

Kettering has excellent rail services, operated by Midland Mainline, with a half-hourly service to London St Pancras throughout the day. Direct inter-city trains connect Kettering with London (1 hour), Luton Airport (35 min), Leicester (30 min), Derby (1 hour 15 min), Nottingham (1 hour 10 min) & Sheffield (1 hour 50 min).

The Borough of Kettering extends from the county boundary with Leicestershire in the north, to the outskirts of Northampton. In addition to the main population centres of Kettering, with adjoining towns of Burton Latimer, Desborough and Rothwell, the borough includes many picturesque villages. Local landmarks include the Duke of Buccleuch's Boughton House & Estate, Tresham's Triangular Lodge, and the Queen Eleanor Cross at Geddington. The area has many medieval churches, most with spires.

Kettering has undergone many changes in recent years. Employment was formerly centred in the boot and shoe industry and steelworks. The steelworks closed in the 1970's, with mass-produced footwear disappearing from the area over the years. A few small 'quality' footwear manufacturers survive today. The industrial landscape of the borough has transformed to a mixed economy, making it more resilient to market vagaries. Long established major names in manufacturing within the borough include Weetabix and Timpson's Engineering. More recent arrivals include RCI European Headquarters, Gregg's Bakery, & Sealed Air.

Kettering has a bustling shopping centre, offering 'big name' shopping from Marks & Spencer, Boots, Next, T J Hughes, Argos, Waterstone's & W H Smith to name but a few. Retail markets take place in Kettering, Rothwell & Desborough every week. Morrison's & J Sainsbury have superstores in the town centre, with edge of town offerings from the Co-op, Tesco and Aldi.

Culture and Leisure are well served. The world renowned Wicksteed Park is a major attraction. The Alfred East Art Gallery in Sheep Street, right in the Heritage Sector of the town, features regular exibitions. The nearby Monor House Museum traces local history covering 2000 years of human habitation. The museum organises regular special events for children during school holidays. The borough has great sports and leisure facilities, including Kettering Leisure Village (KLV), two swimming pools, and a wide choice of gyms and health clubs. The town comes alive on weekend nights, offering a vibrant pub & club atmostphere. There is also a superb choice of places to eat, both within Kettering, Burton Latimer and Rothwell - where cuisine includes Chinese, English, Indian, Italian and Thai menus, and in the surrounding villages which have some superb inns offering varied fare.

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