Group of people chatting

Knutsford at Home

If you are looking for interior design advice and inspiration, then look no further than Knutsford on September 16th, when the town holds it’s second Knutsford at Home event.

The event is a collaboration between Knutsford’s home and interior shops and businesses in the town centre and will offer shoppers,  inspiration, advice, and ideas as we move into the autumn and winter seasons.

The day’s programme is full of interesting talks, presentations, one-off offers and in some cases fizz and goody bags.

The businesses taking part are Aperture Doors, Arthur Lee, Detaljer, Flock of Arts, Havwoods, Holly Johnson Antiques, Kendal Quality Carpets, Oka, Sofas and Stuff, Suzy Watson Designs, and Terzetto.

Sandra Curties, Knutsford Town Council’s Town Centre Manager, said, “The day’s programme is fantastic and ideal for all home enthusiasts. You can book a talk and pick up gardening advice from RHS member and ex-Head Gardener of Tatton Park Sam Youd at Sofas and Stuff, create a mood board at Susie Watson Designs and even hop on a Havwood’s Routemaster bus to find out about all things flooring”.

Ben Whittaker of Flock of Arts said, “We are delighted to be taking part in this event and love the collaboration with the other interior shops. We will be focusing on the importance of colour and style when choosing a frame as well as showcasing our eclectic range of antiques”.

Lyndsey of Havwoods, said, “We are excited to finally bring our famous Havwoods Routemaster Bus to Knutsford. You will find the bus outside the Lost & Found providing an additional location for us alongside our Regent Street Showroom, which is open for visitors to discover our beautiful range of luxury wood flooring and cladding products.”.

A full programme can be picked up at any participating shop plus Knutsford Library, The Curzon, Knutsford Railway Station, and other shops within the town centre. Those interested can also follow Knutsford Town Council’s Facebook page and the event’s Instagram page Knutsford at Home.

Man with products from stall

Digby and Champ new stall holder at Knutsford Market Hall

A speciality dog stall Digby and Champ has opened within Knutsford Market Hall.

The stall offers everything dog owners and their dogs could ever need or want! On offer is a gorgeous range of treats, chews, toys, clothes, grooming products, and accessories.  Digby and Champ are already established in Chester Market Hall, and this is their second venture.

Will Mason, owner said, “We are delighted to join Knutsford Market Hall and have received a warm welcome from both traders and residents.  We know Knutsford is such a dog friendly town and we are looking forward to meeting all its four-legged friends.  We stock everything a dog and dog owners could possibly want so do pop in!

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said, “We are delighted to have Digby and Champ join our Market Hall family. The stall looks fantastic with a great range of products that will appeal to all the dog owners of Knutsford and beyond!”

Knutsford Market Hall is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm.   Traders are as follows – Kanom Thai, Med Olives, The Market Butcher, M&J Cards, Jonty’s Fruit & Veg, The Market Café, The Market Hall Barber, Slipped Discs and Nyx Cat Crystals.

man with shop products
The 15 town councillors with the town mayor at the centre

100 actions to deliver on plan

Knutsford Town Council has set out the 100 actions it will be delivering by May 2024 as the first action plan under its new 10-year strategy.

In June, the Town Council adopted a new 10 year plan to guide its work through to 2032. The strategy sets out the core aims and objectives of the council for the ensuing decade. Work on creating the new strategy started in summer 2022 with public engagement sessions where the community was asked to identify the key issues that needed attention in the Town. A further consultation was held in spring 2023, with a draft plan presented for feedback.

“In developing our new strategy we wanted to ensure it carried the voice of the community throughout, so the entire plan is built on the feedback we received from those who took part in our two consultations” said Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green.

The plan sets out six strategic aims for the council:

  1. Knutsford Town Centre will be a thriving and unique destination for residents and visitors alike
  2. We will enable residents to choose to reduce their reliance on cars by improving the desirability of walking, cycling and using public transport
  3. Knutsford will have a diverse network of green spaces, a biodiverse natural environment and a reduced carbon footprint
  4. Knutsford’s heritage will be understood, conserved and celebrated
  5. We will lead a strong, connected community with a thriving community spirit and civic pride
  6. Knutsford residents will have access to the services and facilities they need to live happy and healthy lives.

Each aim is supported by a series of specific objectives which the council has already set out working to achieve. The council has restructured its committees to deliver the plan, and each committee has been tasked with developing detailed action plans for how it will turn words into actions.

Amongst the various objectives the council has committed to achieving are developing a town centre masterplan, creating an active travel plan and working to create new permissive walking routes, improving Knutsford’s green spaces, and expanding its Town Ranger service. The plan also sets out the council’s commitment to supporting the success of community groups and working to lobby external bodies to improve access to key services, such as working to deliver a new medical centre.

The council has now agreed its first 100 specific action for the current civic year. These include:

  • Launching a regular e-newsletter
  • Leading joint stakeholder meetings to agree a delivery plan for improved medical facilities
  • Developing a Green Spaces Strategy in partnership with local Friends groups
  • Concluding formal reviews of the town’s Conservation Areas
  • Commencing work on a Town Centre Masterplan and Active Travel Infrastructure Plan

The full action plan, including target dates, is available on the Town Council website at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/strategicplan

Town Mayor, Cllr Peter Coan said “This plan is purposefully ambitious, and it is going to take a lot of work, but I am looking forward to working with my fellow councillors and our team of officers to make these actions a reality and help make Knutsford a better place for us all”

A collection of community stalls in a church

Call for groups to join ReFresh

Knutsford’s Community freshers-style fair, ReFresh Knutsford, is set to return in September giving community groups, charities, and clubs the opportunity to showcase their organisation and recruit members.

Organised by Knutsford Town Council, ReFresh Knutsford emerged in 2021 as a community fair based on the concept of a ‘freshers fair’. The event gave Knutsford residents old and new the opportunity to discover organisations and clubs and connect them better to things going on in the community.

Knutsford Town Council are currently recruiting community groups, charities, and clubs to showcase their organisation on 2nd September. The event will be held across two venues: St Johns Church and Egerton Place from 1pm – 3pm. It is free to exhibit for all groups.

Communication Officer Laura Anderson said ‘Knutsford is lucky to be the home of many interesting clubs and community groups. We understand it can be hard for clubs to get their organisation known and for residents to find exactly what they are looking for. This event for is a brilliant opportunity to connect these groups to local residents and showcase what they do’

Any group wishing to exhibit at this event can do so by contacting enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk . The deadline for expressions of interest is 25th Jul 2023.

Mayors Cadet, Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor

Civic Sunday Parade

Residents of Knutsford are being encouraged to come out to see their Town Mayor, Cllr Peter Coan, at his Civic Sunday parade on Sunday 30th July. The Mayor of Knutsford will be processing through the streets for the first time since he became Mayor in May.

The parade assembles at 1.30pm at King Street Car Park and sets off at 1.45pm processing down King Street, up Minshull Street, along Princess Street, taking a left down Church Walk and across the Moor before heading up to St Cross Church where the Civic Service will take place led by Reverend Paul Deakin

The parade will be led by Warrington Brass band and include dignitaries and Town Mayors along with Chairs from Town and Parish Councils across Cheshire.

Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan said: “My Civic Sunday is open to anyone who wants to attend. All are welcome to join me as I parade through the town with my fellow councillors and Cheshire dignitaries and the church service is open to everyone! Please feel free to come along. Let’s hope the sun keeps shining for us all!’

During his term of office, Cllr Coan is raising funds for Knutsford GROW  and for UK Men’s Sheds Association.

For more information about the above events contact the Civic Events Officer on 01565 653929 or email laura.phillipson@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.

Group of people with their Flower in Wallwood design

Flowers in Wallwood display

Visitors to Knutsford Town Centre will find a vibrant display of unique flowers decorated by children from Knutsford’s schools and nurseries and residents of retirement homes as the Town Council’s third Flowers in Wallwood display.

The flowers were crafted by Knutsford Town Ranger Bob Garner from sustainable materials and one flower was provided to each of the participating schools, nurseries, and retirement homes in Knutsford and surrounding villages. The initiative was funded through sponsorship from The Tea Room and Detaljer.

The flowers have been decorated in a style reflecting the RHS theme of Senses. Participants were innovative in decorating the flowers in to reflect each sense making them both a joy to look at and hear.

The display has been installed in Wallwood, the council’s community woodland near the entrance to Tatton Park.  A small, photoshoot session led Tessa Harri Carroll photography took place on Tuesday 18th July with Knutsford Town Mayor Peter Coan, representatives from sponsors and many of those involved in decorating the flowers. Town Ranger Bob Garner then ‘planted’ the flowers.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager at Knutsford Town Council said: “It was lovely to see so many of those involved plus representatives from our two generous sponsors visit Wallwood for our little photoshoot. We had a great time celebrating the achievements of this project and admiring all the beautiful flowers. Everyone has put so much hard work into these creations from their and we are amazed at the level of thought, effort and creativity that has been put into every single flower.”

Sandra added: “A massive thank you must go out to our sponsors The Tea Room and Detaljer without whose support this project wouldn’t have been possible! It has been a real community effort and an exciting project to work on. We encourage everyone will take the chance to visit Wallwood and have a look at the wonderful display. We hope to be able to continue this project next year”.

The flowers will be in Wallwood until early September (weather dependent) after which they will be returned to the schools for permanent display. Can’t view them in person? Check out the Town Council’s Facebook page where you can view photos of the children’s’ efforts.

Group of people with Flowers in Wallwood and the Mayor
Colin Banks, Morgan Ward and Sam Youd outside Morgan Edwards

RHS Week Best Shop Window Winners

Knutsford was blooming last week as the annual Best Dressed Window Competitions took place during the RHS Tatton Flower Show.

16 town centre businesses participated across the official RHS competition, and Knutsford Town Council’s competition. Whilst the number of entries was lower than previous years, there was a fantastic effort by those who were able to participate this year.

Morgan Edwards was crowned the victor of the RHS Best Dressed Window Competition after the judges applauded their stunning display. Pulse of Perfumery won a new award introduced for 2023 entitled ‘Best Floral Inspired Display’.

Winners for the Town Council’s floral walk were chosen after careful consideration from Knutsford Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Colin Banks and Sam Youd, former head gardener of Tatton Park.

The award for best Small Window went to Kanoa Living on Princess Street who had decked their window with tropical plants and flowers.

In 3rd place this year was Pulse of Perfumery on King Street with their rose inspired design. In 2nd place King Street Kitchen, also located on King Street, who had a stunning display of fresh flowers and herbs at their entrance.

The winner this year is Morgan Edwards, also located on King Street, whose display featured a floral design incorporating the RHS theme for this year, the senses.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said: “It is fantastic to see the great efforts our local businesses go to in creating stunning displays for RHS week every year, it adds real magic to the town centre.”

Cllr Colin Banks, Deputy Mayor of Knutsford, added: “A huge congratulations to everybody involved in the Best Dressed Window Competition this year! The standard has been outstanding, the time and effort shown by local business is commendable and a credit to all! The winner’s display was judged the best as the whole window was intricately themed and we found the fresh appearance of the display impressive.”

Cllr Banks continued “You can still see many of the displays in town this week so don’t forget to have a walk-through town if you haven’t already.”

Town Ranger amongst the flowers at Wallwood

A feast for the senses as Flowers in Wallwood returns

Wallwood, the woodland area at the top of King Street in Knutsford, will soon be decked with decorated flowers for the third Flowers in Wallwood display.

Organised by Knutsford Town Council, the Town Ranger, Bob Garner crafts the flower bases out of sustainable materials. The flowers are then sent to local primary schools, retirement, and care homes to be decorated. The brief for this year’s creations is ‘The Senses’ to reflect the RHS theme for the flower show at neighbouring Tatton Park.

The designs will be unveiled at Wallwood on 18th July with a visit from the Mayor of Knutsford, Peter Coan. Afterwards the Town Ranger will ‘plant’ the flowers in Wallwood where they will remain on display throughout the summer.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said “We are excited to see how each participant has decorated their flower. In previous years, this initiative has created a wonderful decoration in Wallwood. We anticipate this year will be no different and the display will be well worth a visit.”

Sandra added “We are grateful to the sponsors of this display without whose support this project wouldn’t have been possible”

The installation has been sponsored by local independent businesses, Detaljer and The Tea Room.

Caterine Hooper from Detaljer said “We are delighted to be working together with The Tea Room to support this lovely community event. We can’t wait to see the results and look forward to visiting the display in Wallwood”

Harriet Henry from The Tea Room said “We have always loved to visit Flowers in Wallwood and are proud to sponsor this beautiful community exhibition”

AS group of people dining alfresco in Knutsford

Alfresco Dining returns to Knutsford Town centre this summer

Alfresco Dining returns to Knutsford Town Centre this summer

Five evenings of alfresco dining will take place in Knutsford over the summer through July, August and September.

Minshull Street will close to traffic along with parking bays on Princess Street on 21st July from 6pm until 10:30pm to allow for restaurants, bars and cafes to place tables and chairs outside for outdoor dining. On Saturday 22nd July, a section of King Street will be closed to traffic from 6pm to 10:30 pm. Minshull Street will be closed for a further three Saturdays, 29th July, 26th August, 16th September to host alfresco dining between 12noon and 10:30pm.

Knutsford Town Council has collaborated with town centre restaurants and cafes to organise the road closures and allow for large scale outdoor dining evenings throughout the summer. Amberon will be providing traffic management services and the roads will re-open at 10:30pm ready for the next day’s trading.

The first alfresco evenings on this scale in Knutsford took place in September 2021 as part of the Town Councils work supporting local business during post lockdown recovery.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said, “In 2021 we had a positive response to the alfresco evenings from customers and restaurants alike. We are excited to be able to bring them back for 2023.”

The Minshull Street and Princess Street closure takes place from 6pm to 10:30pm on Saturday 21st July and covers the following areas.

  • The entire length on Minshull Street
  • Selected parking bays on Princess Street
  • The section of Princess Street outside Lost & Found.

The King Street, road closure takes place on 22nd September from 6pm to 10:30pm and covers the following areas:

  • King Street from the junction with Church Hill to the junction with Minshull Street.

Minshull Street will also be hosting three afternoon sessions from 12pm to 10:30pm on July 29th, August 26th and September 16th. Amberon will provide traffic management services throughout each road closure.

The following venues will be providing alfresco dining or drinking tables from 6pm to 10.30pm –

Princess & Minshull Street (21st July)

  • Café on the Corner
  • Lost & Found
  • April’s Kitchen
  • Project 53
  • The Angel

King Street (22nd July)

  • Morgan Edwards
  • Gusto
  • Smokehouse and Cellar
  • King Street Kitchen
  • Piccolino
  • Wine and Wallop
  • Café on the Corner

Minshull Street (29th July, 26th August, 16th September)

  • Project 53

Sandra continues “These evening road closures provide additional outside space to venues for their customers to enjoy the amazing food and drink Knutsford offers while also enjoying the iconic surroundings of Knutsford town centre. We hope these sessions are busy and give the town centre a lively continental atmosphere during the summer months”.

Patrons are urged to contact their chosen venue direct to see whether they need to book a space in advance.  If the evenings are cancelled due to adverse weather, the cancellation will be announced across both Knutsford Town Council’s and the participating venues social media platforms.

Two people walking in front of market stalls

July Makers Market

The July Makers Market takes place this weekend – Sunday 2nd July – from 11am to 4pm along Princess Street. The market is run by The Makers Market and this month the market manager is Matilda who can be reached on 07803397027.

You can view the stall layout here: July Makers Market Stall Layout