October | 2025 | Knutsford Town Council

28Oct2025

Christmas in Knutsford Returns with Extended Festive Season for 2025

Knutsford is preparing to sparkle once again as the town’s much-loved festive celebrations return this November — with a few exciting changes for 2025!

This year, the Christmas season kicks off slightly earlier, with the Christmas Light Switch-On and Santa Parade taking place on Saturday 15th November, two weeks ahead of the Christmas Market weekend.

The change aims to extend the Christmas shopping period for Knutsford’s town centre businesses and help manage the high visitor numbers both events attract.

Christmas Light Switch-On & Parade – Saturday 15th November | 4pm – 7pm

Festivities begin at 4pm in Canute Place, where Silk FM will host an evening of live entertainment featuring local school choirs and musicians. Families can also enjoy the CAFT Christmas Grotto and a small selection of food and drink traders offering seasonal treats.

At 6pm, the Santa Parade will set off from outside The Lost & Found, travelling along Princess Street towards Canute Place. The evening will reach its festive peak at 6.30pm, when the Mayor of Knutsford, joined by special guests, will switch on the town’s beautiful Christmas lights to officially mark the start of the season.

Knutsford Christmas Market – Saturday 29^th November |12 noon – 5pm, Sunday 30th November | 11am – 4pm

The ever-popular Knutsford Christmas Market returns for a full weekend of festive shopping and family fun. This year’s market will be bigger than ever, with traders spread across Princess Street, King Street, and Silk Mill Street.

Visitors can browse a wonderful variety of artisanal food and drink, handmade crafts, and unique gift ideas from some of Cheshire’s finest independent makers. Live entertainment will fill the streets throughout the weekend, and Silk Mill Street will host an array of hot food traders, perfect for grabbing a festive bite while enjoying the atmosphere.

Santa’s Grotto – Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November

Bring the magic of Christmas to life for your little ones with a visit to Santa’s Grotto, kindly hosted by Knutsford Methodist Church.

Saturday: 11am – 3pm
Sunday: 12pm – 3pm

Children will receive a special Christmas treat.

Knutsford Town Council invites everyone to experience the charm of the town during this extended festive period. From the dazzling lights and live music to artisan shopping and seasonal street food, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

For full event details and updates, visit www.discoverknutsford.com/events or follow @KnutsfordTownCouncil and @DiscoverKnutsford on social media.

25Oct2025

Knutsford Remembrance Sunday

Knutsford Town Council and the Knutsford Branch of the Royal British Legion invite the community to join the services of remembrance on Sunday 9^th November.

The programme for the day is as follows:

09:00-10:00 Community Remembrance Church Service at St Johns Church

10:10-10:25 Parade assembles at King St Car Park

10:25-10:45 Parade to Centennial War Memorial

10:55-11:35 Service at the Centennial War Memorial

12:00-12:25 Service at the Crosstown War Memorial

12:45-13:05 Service at the Tatton Park Parachute Regiment Memorial

13:30-13:35 Town Mayor to lay wreath at Centennial Place Memorial Garden

The church service at St John’s will take place before the parade and the parade will march to the Centennial War Memorial.

The whole community is welcome to join any or all parts of the day.

The principal wreath laying will take place at the Centennial War Memorial and organisations wishing to lay a wreath are requested to advise Gemma Jackson, Civic Events Officer, in advance by emailing gemma.jackson@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk. Only those who have notified the Civic Events Officer in advance will be called up to lay a wreath on the day.

After the main services of remembrance, the Town Mayor will also lay a wreath in the Centennial Place memorial garden at 1:30pm.

24Oct2025

Market Hall Roof Works Completed

A second programme of investment in Knutsford Market Hall has now been completed.

Knutsford Town Council appointed local firm, Cheshire Roof Repairs and its sister company Cheshire Solar Services to deliver an upgrade to the main roof of the Market Hall. The works, which started in September, followed the major renovation undertaken within the building earlier in the year.

This programme of works:

Installed a layer of insulation to the roof to help retain heat during the winter and reduce heat gain during the summer
Replaced the old single glazed skylights with new double-glazed tinted glazing units which will let more light in whilst blocking some of the sun’s heat during the summer
Renewed the roof covering with a new flat roof system to provide longevity
Replaced the old single glazed upper front windows to new, openable double-glazed units
Installed a new solar panel system with battery storage to reduce grid electricity consumption

The £90k investment was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, administered by Cheshire East Council.

“These works have delivered a major upgrade to the sustainability of the Market Hall, helping us retain heat in the winter, reduce heat gain in the summer and generate some of the electricity that the building needs – even in October we’ve been able to generate around 10% of our daily electricity usage” said Town Clerk Adam Keppel-Green.

The Market Hall is home to eight fixed traders which include an organic greengrocer, local butcher, vinyl records and bakery. The market is also able to accommodate pop-up casual traders and out of hours is a hireable community space which has already hosted children’s birthday parties, daylight discos, community meetings and fundraising events.

“We know that this summer the market was too hot and as these works complete, we are now exploring the installation of fixed air conditioning and additional ventilation to ensure we don’t have a recurrence of the issues again in 2026” Adam added.

To enquire about a casual stall, or to hire the venue visit: https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/market-hall

24Oct2025

Feedback invited on draft 2026 budget

Knutsford Town Council is inviting feedback on its draft budget for 2026/27.

This is the first time the council has undertaken public engagement as part of its budget setting process. The engagement period closes 21^st November, ahead of the council’s Finance Committee budget meeting on 1^st December.

Households in Knutsford pay a portion of their council tax to the Town Council; known as the parish precept, this accounts for just under 5.6% of the total council tax paid. In 2025, for a Band D household, this amounted to £11.08 per month.

Over September and October, council committees have prepared their draft budgets for the financial year starting 1^st April 2026. The draft budget will be published on the council website from Friday 24^th October, alongside an explanatory guide to the changes in next year’s budget. The initiative aims to provide a meaningful opportunity for the community to influence local spending priorities before the budget is finalised.

The feedback from the engagement will go to the Finance Committee when it considers the draft budget in early December, and makes a recommendation to January’s Full Council meeting which sets the budget and determines the precept.

All questions will be answered in a formal response at the end of the consultation, and all feedback from this consultation will be included in the papers for the Finance Committee’s budget meeting.

To support the engagement, three ‘budget conversation’ events are being held. These events will include a presentation on the council’s budget and provide an opportunity for questions and comments to be raised. The events will be held:

Tuesday 4^th November at 7pm in Knutsford Market Hall
Wednesday 12^th November at 1pm in Knutsford Market Hall
Wednesday 12^th November at 7pm via Zoom

Residents can register for the Zoom event here: Register for Zoom session

“This is the first time we have held public engagement on our draft budget, and we would greatly value our resident’s input as part of this process” said Cllr Matthew Robertson, Chairman of the council’s Finance Committee.

“The amount residents pay to the Town Council is just a small part of their council tax, but with that we are able to deliver some great outcomes for the community, from our Town Rangers tackling pavement weeds, to delivering events like the upcoming Pumpkin Path which bring the community together.”

“This consultation is purposefully open and we don’t have any binary do you support this or that questions. Any comments, input and feedback residents want to share is welcome whether that is via our website, or in person at our budget conversation events”.

All information is available at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/budget26

21Oct2025

Father Christmas makes a special visit to The Market Cafe

Get ready for some festive magic! The Market Café, located inside the beautifully refurbished Knutsford Market Hall, will host two exclusive ‘Breakfast with Santa’ events on Saturday, December 6th.

Father Christmas has cleared his busy schedule for two special sittings for little ones: one at 9:30 AM and a second at 11:00 AM.

Both sittings promise a memorable experience, including:

A dedicated time for children to chat with Santa and share their Christmas wishes.
A delicious, festive children’s breakfast.
A small gift to take home from the big man himself.

Bahattin Atar, owner of The Market Café, is delighted to host the event. “We are thrilled to bring a little extra Christmas joy to the Market Hall this year,” he said. “The breakfast will be a treat, featuring pancakes or waffles served with a selection of fruit, yoghurt, and honey, plus a drink. We welcome all parents and carers to order from our full main menu and enjoy the festive atmosphere while the children meet Santa.”

Tickets cost £15 per child and include the breakfast, small gift, and personal time with Santa.

Tickets must be purchased in person by visiting Knutsford Market Hall during opening hours:

Regular Days: Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM).
Special Openings: Makers Market Sundays and throughout the Christmas Market weekend (November 29th & 30th).

Knutsford Market Hall is centrally located on Silk Mill Street and offers a vibrant mix of independent local traders –

The Market Café

Thai Kitchen

Polka Bakery

Market Hall Barber

Slipped Discs

Cheshire Party Stores

Market Hall Butcher and Deli

Knutsford Mobile

York & Co. – The Grocer

Pop-ups are welcome and can be applied via https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/market-hall

17Oct2025

Stolen Lamb joins Taste Knutsford!

Knutsford’s newest culinary star, The Stolen Lamb, has officially joined Taste Knutsford, the Cheshire market town’s well-established food and drink tour. The family-run Greek restaurant, which opened in August in the former Botanist premises on King Street, has quickly become a local favourite.

The Stolen Lamb’s addition brings authentic Mediterranean flavours to the diverse line-up of independent venues on the tour. Their offering for guests will be a selection of three meze dishes with bread and dips, giving tour-goers a delicious taste of Greece.

“As soon as The Stolen Lamb opened, we knew they were a perfect fit for the tour,” said Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager for Knutsford Town Council and tour organiser. “They are family-run, community-minded, and focus on freshly prepared, authentic dishes. We think our guests will be delighted with their meze offer.”

Saphina Hadjiyianni, owner, said “We’ve received such a warm welcome since opening in August from both residents and visitors to the town. It was an easy decision to join the Taste Knutsford tour. It champions small independent restaurants and it also a great way to promote our wonderful town. We can’t wait to greet tour guests and see them enjoy a little bit of Greece on King Street.

Taste Knutsford runs once a month on a Saturday between February and November, with guests typically visiting around seven participating venues in a single tour.

Booking and Information: Guests can find out more about the tour and book tickets by visiting www.tasteknutsford.co.uk.
Private Tours: Private tours for groups of 8 or more are also available.
Partnership Tours: Taste Knutsford is also currently running special shorter evening tours in partnership with Knutsford Ghost Walks, combining food with a spooky ghost tour element. These tours for October and November have already sold out.

16Oct2025

Knutsford Pumpkin Path Returns!

Get ready for a spooktacular night like no other! Knutsford’s favourite family-friendly Halloween event, Pumpkin Path, is back! Join us on Friday, 31st October from 4pm to 7pm as King Street transforms into a Halloween haven, filled with fun, excitement, and sweets!

This year’s event promises to be as fun filled as ever, with live performances to capture the imagination and entertain the crowds. Be sure not to miss out on a show from the amazing SMB Dance who will be bringing captivating choreography to life with a Halloween twist. The amazing Knutsford Beats Choir will be serenading visitors with haunting harmonies that are sure to get everyone in the Halloween spirit.

Of course, the much-loved Pumpkin Path is the heart of the night. Families can pick up an entry form and follow the map to discover 12 hidden pumpkins nestled along the streets. Each one is marked with a letter, spelling Trick or Treat but first you need to find the shop.

Don’t forget to also keep your eyes peeled for some special characters along the way, who will bring the streets to life with fun interactions that are perfect for all ages!

As ever a visit to Wallwood is a must where you can spot Minecraft Steve, Frankenstein, Mickey, and Minnie. These child friendly characters will also be wondering around the streets so keep your eyes peeled and don’t forget to take a picture.

While the event is free to enter, a voluntary donation of £1 per child would be warmly welcomed to help support the event. Entry forms will be available from Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe and from the welcome desks along King Street. The event is organised by Knutsford Town Council and generously sponsored by Travel Bag, Linden Stores and King Street Dental Practice.

Ray Balderstone, Manager of Princess Street based Travelbag said, “”We are absolutely thrilled to once again partner with Knutsford Town Council to sponsor the annual Pumpkin Path. This event is a fantastic tradition that brings so much joy and spooky fun to families across the town. As a local business, Travelbag Knutsford loves being part of initiatives that truly enrich our community, and we can’t wait to see all the creative costumes and happy faces on the night!”

So, mark your calendars, gather your costumes, and join us for an unforgettable night of Halloween magic, live performances, and family fun. We can’t wait to see you on the Pumpkin Path!

Event Information

To find out more about the event, visit www.discoverknutsford.com or email enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk, or alternatively you can call 01565 653 929.

Road Closures

To enable the Pumpkin Path to take place safely, road closures will be in place as follows:

King Street at the junction with Church Walk to the junction with Drury Lane

All affected residents have been contacted directly

16Oct2025

Views sought on walking and cycling in Knutsford

Residents are urged to take part in an active travel survey to inform a new, locally focused, infrastructure plan.

Knutsford Town Council has launched a new community-wide survey to gather input that will inform the development of a new Knutsford Active Travel Infrastructure Plan.

The focus of the new plan will be on everyday journeys – such as walking and cycling to work or school, visiting friends, and accessing local services. The plan will identify a range of practical measures to make walking and cycling easier, safer and more convenient.

“This survey will help us understand where changes are needed to make everyday travel on foot and by bike safer and easier for our residents” said Cllr Colin Banks, lead member of the council’s active travel infrastructure plan working group.

“The aim our plan will be to identify barriers that residents face in choosing to walk and cycle, from areas they feel unsafe crossing, areas of poor maintenance, or missing infrastructure like somewhere to park your bike or benches to rest along a route”.

The plan will incorporate work undertaken by Cycle Knutsford on a cycling infrastructure plan as part of the 2019 Neighbourhood Plan; and for the first time will create a plan with walking as a key focus. The survey will help inform the development of this plan, which will be subject to further consultation in 2026.

The Knutsford Active Travel Infrastructure Plan will be more locally focused than a similar plan being prepared by Cheshire East Council which looks at just three walking and cycling routes in the town. Whilst the CEC “Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan” looks at three walking routes in the town and three cycling routes from Knutsford to surrounding areas, the Knutsford specific plan will take a more holistic approach to promoting active travel across the town.

Improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the town was a key message from consultation the council undertook in 2022 as part of developing its 10-year strategy and development of the active travel plan is a key part of the council’s aim to enable residents to choose to reduce their reliance on cars by improving the desirability of walking, cycling and using public transport.

The Town Council encourages anyone who lives, works, or regularly visits Knutsford to take just a few minutes to complete the online questionnaire. Input is welcomed from all age groups and abilities, whether you are a regular cyclist, an occasional walker, a wheelchair user or someone who currently relies entirely on the car.

The survey is open until 30^th November and can be accessed online at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/consultations. Paper copies of the survey will be available from 16^th October and can be picked up at the Council Offices, Knutsford Library, The Welcome, Knutsford Market Hall and other locations across the town or requested by calling 01565 653 929.

9Oct2025

Join us for “Thai Night” at Knutsford Market Hall!

Thai Kitchen, the hugely popular stall in the newly refurbished Knutsford Market Hall, is bringing a taste of Bangkok to Cheshire with its first-ever Thai Night on Saturday the 25th October. Promising a unique blend of authentic street food, explosive culture, and high-energy entertainment, the evening is set to be one of Knutsford’s must-attend events.

The event is a celebration of all things Thai, offering much more than just the delicious food that has made the stall a local favourite. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant programme that includes:

Demonstrations and displays of Thailand’s national sport of Muay Thai

DJ spinning the best of R&B and 90’s hip hop

Prize draw to win prizes from market hall traders and other Knutsford businesses

A selection of signature Thai dishes available to purchase throughout the evening

A chance to win a dream holiday to Koh Samui in partnership with Singa beer

Thai Kitchen owner, May Lynch said, “We are delighted to bring a night of Thai flavour, culture, and rhythm to Knutsford. We will be serving our amazing food alongside some great beers, wine and spirits. Lots of people have tasted our food but few have seen a Thai boxing demonstration so please come along and join in the fun. We guarantee fun, energy and an all-round good vibe all evening!”

Tickets cost £5 and include one entry into a prize draw and a welcome drink. The evening is hosted by local radio celebrity Rachel Burke-Davies from the Breakfast team. The event takes place on Saturday 25th October between 6L30pm and 10:30pm. You can purchase a ticket by visiting the market hall from 9am each Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

2Oct2025

Town Centre Masterplan Process Starts

Around 70 residents attended one of the two inaugural meetings about the new Town Centre Masterplan on 1^st October.

The Town Council has set out a timeline to develop a town centre masterplan over the next 15 months and the meetings provided the opportunity to find out more about the history of the issues, the process the council would follow and gave people a chance to share their views on the topics which will be looked at in the plan.

“We are pleased to be working with the community to explore opportunities to enhance the Town Centre through a well-constructed masterplan.” Said Cllr April Johnson, chair of the Town Council’s Town Centre Committee.

A new webpage has now been launched on the Town Council website with information about the masterplan, this includes a video of the presentation given by the council at the information sessions. The webpage also contains a document library with relevant background information, including the outcome of feasibility studies undertaken by the council last year.

“We have much to celebrate in our town centre. As well as being one of the most beautiful heritage towns, we have a high number of independent shops and businesses invested here, a low high street retail vacancy rate and our town centre events are superb. The Town Clerk has done an excellent job this week of presenting the journey so far and he explains the complex traffic issues which have prevented previous plans from coming to fruition” April added.

Over the next two weeks the council is inviting people to express an interest in joining one of the four sub-groups which will develop the four chapters of the masterplan.

“Through the sub groups we hope to inspire a workable, deliverable masterplan that the committee can adopt at the end of 2026. This will allow us to achieve some smaller projects and make us ready for future grants and investments in Knutsford Town Centre” April added.

All information can be found at: www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/tcmp

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