Northampton’s new Mayor to be welcomed at Guildhall ceremony

During the ceremony, the role of First Citizen of Northampton will pass from Councillor Gareth Eales to Councillor Tony Ansell, who will be supported in his work by his Mayoress, Jayne Crofts.

Tony will become the 778th Mayor of Northampton and was first elected to Northampton Borough Council in 2011, representing the Abington ward, where he lives and works.

He is very active in his community and was the Chairman of the Abington Conservation Society and a founding member of both the Friends of Abington Park and the Abington Park Forum. He has also owned the Park Café in the heart of Abington Park for the past 40 years.

After leaving school at 15, Tony embarked on a long and successful career in catering and hospitality, starting out as an Assistant Manager for Berni Inns, then buying his first hot dog van at the age of 17.

By the time he was 21, he had 20 food outlets and had taken over the management of the Park Café.  He has also operated the All Saints Bistro for the past ten years and provided catering for Northampton Town Football Club and the Northampton Saints.

As Mayor and Mayoress, Tony and Jayne plan to hold many events and activities to raise money for the Hope Centre, a local charity which tackles homelessness and poverty.

Councillor Ansell said: “I am honoured and indeed humbled to become the 778th Mayor of Northampton. It has been my ambition to fulfil this role since I left school, so this is a dream come true.

“I will work incredibly hard throughout my Mayoral year and look forward to meeting as many of our town’s residents as possible.  I want to restore civic pride back into the town and leave a lasting legacy of improvement for Northampton.

“During my time as Mayor, I will be supporting the Hope Centre, a charity I have been involved with for many years now. Homelessness seems to be far more of an issue these days and affects the most vulnerable of our town. 

“I plan to hold plenty of events and activities over the next year to raise awareness and funds to help the centre continue its invaluable work, including hosting the Big Sleep Out at the Park Café in January 2018.”

The incoming Deputy Mayor is Councillor Nazim Choudary.

If you would like to contribute to the Mayor’s charity, or find out more about the Mayor’s activities, please contact the Mayor’s Office at the Guildhall on 01604 837804, or email mayor@northampton.gov.uk