Market Harborough News
The latest Market Harborough news: planning decisions, council and crime updates, business and community stories, each linked back to its official source.
Top story
Market Harborough In Bloom: Gold, 94 Marks, Top Large Town
Market Harborough scored 94 of 100 and Lubenham 91 in East Midlands in Bloom 2026, both Gold and both top of their categories. What the judges' reports say.
More stories
Market Harborough
Harborough Band Are National Champions, Beating 18 Bands
Harborough Band won the Second Section national final in York, beating 18 bands, six months after their first Midlands title in 70 years. Next up: First Section.
Harborough District Council
Harborough Community Grant: 37 Projects Want £285,332
Cabinet decides on Thursday whether 37 village halls, clubs and churches get £285,332.83 from the last round of the £1m Community Grant Fund.
Harborough District Council
Harborough Parks Go to Parish Councils for £1 Each
Four town and parish councils take on 13.4 acres of open space for £1 each, including Lutterworth's recreation ground. Cabinet decides on Thursday.
Planning
Great Glen 180 Homes Refused Against Officer Advice
Harborough councillors refused 180 homes at Great Glen by 7 votes to 1, against officer advice, and agreed they would have refused 900 homes at Bushby too.
House prices
Harborough House Prices Up 8.5%: Fastest in East Midlands
The average Harborough home hit £347,010 in July, up £27,107 in a year. That 8.5% rise is the fastest of the 35 East Midlands council areas, and eases off June.
Transport
Northampton Road Shuts 21 Sept in Market Harborough
The A508 closes from Springfield Street to the county boundary for up to 28 days of resurfacing, and five side roads lose parking. No diversion is published.
Community
Harborough Physical Activity Awards: Nominate by 11 Oct
Nominations for the district's 11 sport and activity awards close on Sunday 11 October. The winners are named at Harborough Leisure Centre on 18 November.
What's On
Glastonbury Band Good Habits Play Naseby Village Hall 9 Oct
Indie-folk trio Good Habits, who have played Glastonbury and WOMAD, play Naseby Village Hall on Friday 9 October. Tickets from £10, and children go free.
Transport
Market Harborough Trains Replaced by Buses, 19 and 20 Sept
Buses replace trains at Market Harborough all day on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, and the London trains that do still run will not call at the station.
Community
Market Harborough Art Windows: 51 Shops, Free, to 30 Sept
Fifty-one Market Harborough shop windows are hung with work by local artists until 30 September. It is free, no tickets, and here is every window on the trail.
Harborough District Council
Harborough District Council Abolition Paused by Review
The plan to abolish Harborough District Council in April 2028 is under review, and May 2027 district elections will now go ahead on existing boundaries.
Harborough District Council
Harborough Bin Contract Awarded to FCC in £50.5m Deal
FCC Environment keeps Harborough's bins, streets and parks on a £50.5m seven-year contract from April 2027. Only two firms bid, and Suez lost.
Community
Market Harborough Band PORTICA Release Second Single
PORTICA put out second single Hate To Say on 2 September, after BBC Introducing played debut Firefly. The five-piece's first EP is due later this month.
Planning
Great Glen 180 Homes Recommended Despite 199 Objections
Officers back 180 homes off London Road despite 199 objections. Harborough's planning committee decides on Tuesday, with 900 homes at Bushby also listed.
Bins and waste
Lutterworth Tip: Thu to Sat Only, 9am-4pm From 1 October
Lutterworth tip on Moorbarns Lane opens Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. From 1 October every Leicestershire site drops to 9am-4pm, last entry 3.55pm.
Community
Market Harborough Book Festival Nearly Sold Out
Four of the five ticketed events at Market Harborough's first literary festival have sold out. The 19 September workshop and free children's day remain.
Planning
Great Bowden and Scraptoft Vote on Village Plans 8 October
Both parishes hold a referendum on 8 October. Great Bowden's plan lost its only housing site, eight bungalows off Buckminster Close, during examination.
Council
Harborough Bin Contract Decided at Cabinet on 1 September
Cabinet decides on 1 September who empties Harborough's bins from April 2027. The five-year contract also covers street cleaning and grounds maintenance.
Council
Harborough food caddies arrive now, collections wait to 2027
Caddies reach every household in August and September. The weekly collections they are for do not start until 1 April 2027, seven months later.
What's On
Harborough Heritage Open Days 2026: every date and time
Twelve free events across the district, 11 to 20 September, including a windmill open just twice a year. Four need booking, two windows close early.
House prices
Harborough House Prices Up £30,665 in a Year to £345,848
Harborough district's average home reached £345,848 in June, up 9.7% in a year: the third fastest rise of 37 East Midlands councils. June itself dipped.
Business
Harborough hospitality grants: £500,000 pot opens 24 August
Independent pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels can bid for £5,000 to £25,000 from a £500,000 council fund opening on 24 August. Franchises are shut out.
Planning
Harborough neighbourhood plan grants: £10,000 by 18 Sept
Parish and town councils can bid for up to £10,000 from a new £50,000 council fund after national support ended. Expressions of interest close 18 September.
Planning
Harborough Local Plan hearing today: is 74% of need enough?
Three inspectors open the Harborough Local Plan examination today, testing whether its 13,182-home housing target is high enough to be judged under 2023 rules.
Jobs
Harborough claimant count: 1,050 in June, 1.7% vs UK's 3.9%
Harborough's claimant count was 1,050 in June, 1.7% of residents aged 16 to 64, against 3.5% across the East Midlands and 3.9% nationally; young claimants rose.