Aiden Byrne and staff sat on a bench

Aiden Byrne to help Knutsford switch on the festive lights!

This weekend, Knutsford welcomes in the festive season with their annual Knutsford Christmas Market and Light Switch On.  Aiden Byrne, renowned chef and TV personality who, in 2002, became the youngest chef to earn a restaurant a Michelin star, will join the Mayor of Knutsford and Santa, the May Queen and Crown Bearer, on stage to switch on the towns Christmas lights. Aiden and Sarah Byrne recently opened Knutsford’s newest restaurant Li-ly by Aiden Byrne to rave reviews.

In Canute Place on Saturday 30th November from 1pm the stage will be set for a day of the best in local live entertainment, school choirs, solo artists and the headline act The Breakfast Club. This year’s lights will be switched on at 6pm and attendees can grab a drink and some of the great food on offer and take their place in front of the main stage.

The market is open 12-7pm Saturday 30th November and 11-4pm Sunday 1stDecember. Sponsors for this year’s event are – Speedy Freight, Cygnet, Savills and Bruntwood.

A team from Discover Knutsford will host a stall at the markets across both days where visitors can pick up a map of the town, a programme of events and a Knutsford Festive Gift Guide showcasing what Knutsford has to offer as a Christmas shopping destination. There will also be the opportunity for visitors to the stand to enter a prize draw with the chance to win prizes from local businesses.


Visitors can also keep warm with mulled wine (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available) or hot Vimto – on Saturday this raises funds for the Mayor’s Charities, Just Drop In and The Welcome whilst on Sunday it raises funds for the Friends of the Moor, Heath, St John’s Wood and Crosstown Community Orchard!

Driving to Knutsford for the Christmas Market weekend? please make use of the Park and Ride service running from Booths Hall, which is situated about a mile from Knutsford Town Centre and can be found using postcode WA16 8GS.

A shuttle bus will run back and forth throughout the whole weekend dropping you off at Knutsford Bus Station and has ample room for pushchairs, wheelchairs and any Christmas shopping! There is plenty of parking available for your car at Booths Hall.

The Park and Ride is completely FREE, however optional donations will be kindly accepted by Knutsford Rotary, Knutsford Hosts and The Scouts who help us to run the service. Follow the signage to direct you to the Park and Ride car park on the day which is car park C.

The Park and Ride helps to massively reduce the burden on town centre car parks which have limited spaces, and helps flow of traffic into the town for the event, so please consider making use of the shuttle service for a stress free day!

The Park and Ride is kindly supported by Bruntwood who help us to facilitate the service by offering use of Booths Hall.

A man standing by a public footpath sign

Knutsford Town Council Seeks Volunteers for Public Rights of Way Survey

Knutsford Town Council is asking for volunteers to help survey the town’s public rights of way.

Residents who enjoy walking around the area are invited to participate in the survey which will help identify any improvements needed to the town’s rights of way network of footpaths.

Volunteers will be asked to walk specific footpaths, taking photographs and complete a short condition survey. This information will help establish the conditions, general cleanliness, and accessibility of the paths, enabling the Town Council to devise a plan for future improvements in partnership with Cheshire East Council and landowners.

“Knutsford is fortunate to have several public rights of way across the town and out into the wider countryside providing attractive routes for exercise and active travel. This survey will help record their current condition and help us identify any improvements needed to the network” said Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green.

those interested in participating in this initiative are invited to contact Jeanette Hine at jeanette.hine@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or contact the council offices on 01565 653929.

Knutsford Market Hall

£200k refurbishment agreed for Market Hall

A £200,000 refurbishment of Knutsford Market Hall has been agreed by Knutsford Town Council with work set to commence in January 2025.

The project is being funded through a £160,000 grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the balance drawn from the Town Council’s market hall and capital reserves.

The new scheme will involve:

  • Removal of the suspended ceiling to reveal the sky lights
  • An upgraded accessible toilet with baby change facilities
  • Replacement stall structures with shutters
  • Redecoration including a new level floor
  • New glass automatic doors with security shutters

The refreshed Market Hall will have an open central space which will host pop-up traders on market days and provide space for events and community activity outside market opening hours to make the building even more of a community asset.

“The refurbishment will deliver a more light, modern and flexible Market Hall with renewed stall structures and fresh facilities. It will help us attract new shoppers, new traders and create a true community asset” said Cllr Bryan Hartley, a member of the Market Hall refurbishment working group.

The Town Council has appointed the local firm Built by Mode as the contractor to deliver the refurbishment.

Works are scheduled to take place across 12 weeks starting in January and the Market Hall will be closed during this period. The Town Council is working with the Market Butcher and Heathfields Fruit and Veg to arrange temporary trading space during the closure, which takes place during a quiet retail period. The Town Council has waived rents for October to December to compensate for the lost trading period in the new year.

“Whilst this isn’t as big a project as we originally wanted to deliver, it will still give the Market Hall a new lease of life and enable us to continue providing a home for small local businesses whilst ensuring the ongoing viability of the asset.” added Cllr April Johnson, who also serves on the working group overseeing the project.

A group of people outside for Halloween

Another great Knutsford Pumpkin Path

“This is the best night of my life!” one young visitor could be heard exclaiming to his family on Halloween at Knutsford Pumpkin Path.

Knutsford Pumpkin Path 2024 filled King Street with hundreds of families exploring, completing the trail and trick or treating the local businesses. As always, the support from the Knutsford business community was huge! With fabulous fancy dress and sweets being handed out, the town was filled with good spirits and hijinks.

If you visited the trail, you may have had your picture taken with Frankenstein and a Minion or you may have been serenaded by the sounds of the Sanderson Sisters in Wallwood all care of Bunny Business events. Fuchsia Dance School and Knutsford Beats entertained the crowds and Knutsford Hosts ensured all visitors were kept informed at our visitor desks.

Congratulations to our winners of the trail draw and to Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe for winning the window competition.

Alex Molloy Events Manager at Knutsford Town Council says “This is an event for all and the joy on people’s faces is fantastic. Our event goes a long way to reduce trick or treating at people’s homes and creates a fun environment for locals and visitors to enjoy the spirit of Knutsford. The commitment to this event from the local businesses is a true testament to what is great about Knutsford”

Knutsford Town Council  works hard to bring brilliant community events to the town and could not do so without the support of our sponsors. Thank you to Linden Stores, Travel Bag and Oil Art Advisory for their sponsorship of this year’s Knutsford Pumpkin Path.

Two volunteers at Knutsford Pumpkin Path

Discover Knutsford this Christmas

Discover Knutsford this festive season for shopping, entertainment, and celebration!

The weekend of 30th November and 1st December welcomes the Christmas cheer with Knutsford’s Christmas Markets, two days of the finest artisan market stalls. Join us for great food, drinks, and Christmas spirit. 12-7pm Saturdays 30th November and 11-4pm Sunday 1stDecember.

Also, on Saturday 30th November the stage will be set for a full day of live entertainment featuring choirs from the local primary schools, dancing performances and local singers. The stage will be presented by Silk FM who, with the help of the Mayor of Knutsford and special guests, will switch on our Christmas Lights in Canute Place at 6pm. Headlining the event will be local band The Breakfast Club.

Catch a glimpse of Santa on his sleigh at 5.30pm as he makes his was along King Street, up Minshull Street to Canute Place where he will join the Mayor on stage. The Santa parade will feature music from City of Chester Brass Band and Anna and Elsa!

Children’s Adventure Farm Trust will be raising money for their charity (CAFT) in this year’s grotto which can be found on Silk Mill Street, outside the Market Hall. The grotto will be open Saturday 30th November 12-4pm and Sunday 1st December 11-4pm. No booking necessary.

We are grateful to our brilliant sponsors this year without whom the festive weekend would not be possible. Special thanks to Savills for sponsoring the Christmas Lights switch on, Bruntwood for sponsoring the Christmas Lights, Speedy Freight who sponsor our tree and Cygnet Health for their sponsorship of the Christmas Market.

This year’s Crib Service will take place on Saturday 7th December at 4pm. Join the Mayor’s Community Crib Service where the Mayor’s chaplain will bless the town crib and Christmas carols will be sung supported by the City of Chester Brass Band. The service begins at approximately 4pm.

Remember to pick up your Discover Knutsford Christmas Gift Guide from one of our local businesses or visit the Discover Knutsford team at the Christmas markets to grab up your copy!

For further information please visit www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or www.discoverknutsford.com or send an email to enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Notes

Photo credits – Tessa Carrol

Enquiries – alex.molloy@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk