Georgia Padfield | Knutsford Town Council

11Jun2025

Discover Knutsford exhibits at the Cheshire Show

Discover Knutsford, the place brand developed by Knutsford Town Council, will be exhibiting at The Cheshire Show once again this year.

The exhibition is part of the partnership the council has with the Cheshire Show. This contra-deal is designed to enhance the visibility of Knutsford and attract a wide audience of visitors to explore the town’s unique offerings.

Discover Knutsford can be found at The Shoppers Mews during The Cheshire Show which takes place on 17^th and 18^th June. At the stand visitors will be able to find out more about this historic market town and its attractions including its independent shopping, food tour Taste Knutsford, the Knutsford Voucher and the town’s annual event’s programme. There will also be a competition to win a night’s stay at centrally located The Silk Rooms and the Chef’s menu for two at stunning Minshull Street restaurant Linden Stores.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said, “We are delighted to take Discover Knutsford ‘on the road’ to the show once again. We enjoy promoting the town to a wide audience and showcasing our wonderful shops and visitor attractions. A huge thanks to Linden Stores and The Silk Rooms for donating our prizes. We are truly thankful to the Knutsford Hosts whose team of volunteers, make attending these events possible”.

For more information on The Royal Cheshire County Show visit their website www.royalcheshireshow.org and for more information on Knutsford follow Discover Knutsford on Instagram @discoverknutsford and Facebook Discover Knutsford.

5Jun2025

Discover Knutsford Shortlisted for ATCM Awards!

Discover Knutsford, the innovative place brand and website developed by Knutsford Town Council, has been shortlisted for a Best Marketing and Branding Scheme at the upcoming Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) awards. This significant recognition highlights the success of a project funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Discover Knutsford initiative involved a two-pronged marketing approach, harnessing local talent to capture the town’s unique charm. Bella Marketing and Design were instrumental in developing the distinct ‘place brand,’ while McClaren Jones Marketing brought the vision to life with a comprehensive destination website

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said. “Developing a place brand and visitor website had been a long-term aim of the council and we were delighted that the Shared Prosperity Fund made this possible. Working with two local agencies ensured the character of our town was perfectly captured to attract both visitors and residents. We are delighted to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards.”

Bella Marketing and Design led the creation of the Discover Knutsford brand. Tessa Blakemore, Creative Director at Bella Marketing and Design, commented, “Our creative studio really enjoyed working with the team at Knutsford Town Council to create the new brand identity. Our designers produced a contemporary, stylish brand which takes inspiration from the traditional architectural features and colour palette of the environment. It was important to respect the heritage whilst positioning Knutsford as a forward-thinking, multi-faceted place to visit. The emblem of the archway invites visitors to look beyond the obvious and discover everything our vibrant town has to offer.”

This new brand is now consistently applied across all marketing collateral, including a comprehensive branding guide that informs social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), leaflets, posters, banners, and a full suite of exhibition materials.

Sandra Curties continued, “The exhibition collateral has proved extremely helpful when attending events such as the Cheshire Show, Knutsford Christmas Markets, and the RHS. It created a visual impact for our information hub, enabling people to find out about our town. In addition, events such as Flash Fashion, Knutsford Music Festival, and Wellness Week are now unified under this umbrella brand, helping to create a consistent identity for the town.”

Leveraging the new branding guide, McClaren Jones Marketing developed the user-friendly “Discover Knutsford” website. Anita Jones, Managing Director at McClaren Jones Marketing, shared, “Developing the destination website for Knutsford was a truly special project for our team. Not only was it our inaugural collaboration with the council, but it was also a chance to build something impactful for our very own local town. The site is now the definitive resource for residents, visitors, and businesses, comprehensively showcasing Knutsford’s many attractions and inviting people to ‘take a closer look.’’

The winners will be announced in awards ceremony in Bradford on Wednesday 18^th June.

The website can be viewed via www.discoverknutsford.com and is complemented by Discover Knutsford’s growing presence on social media where regular updates and inspiration are shared with the community. Visitors are encouraged to follow @discoverknutsford on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and features.

28May2025

Flash Fashion Success

On Saturday 17th May, ITV presenter Katy Rickitt compered the highly anticipated Flash Fashion catwalk show, which drew large crowds of residents and visitors to The Lost & Found. The event organised by Knutsford Town Council collaborating with Knutsford businesses was a vibrant celebration of local style and creativity.

The show was attended by Tatton MP Esther McVey, who praised the event, stating:
“I really loved the fashion show; it was really slick, a stunning venue and Katie Rickitt was a brilliant compere. Best of all it was a great showcase for the businesses of Knutsford and was a really fun event”

Following the catwalk, guests explored Knutsford’s independent boutiques, many of which hosted exclusive in-store experiences. These included special promotions, beauty and wellness pop-ups, and complimentary refreshments, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere throughout the town.

The runway show featured collections from more than 16 independent retailers, including fashion boutiques and preloved shopping. It showcased the diversity, quality, and distinctive style that Knutsford’s shopping scene is known for.

Participating stores included:

Kanoa Living
Cocaranti
Redress at Dexter and Jones
Blossom Boutique
Paris Ladies Boutique
Bare Necessities
Willow Boutiques
Chalk 33
Milania Boutique
Roberta Beauty Redefined
Zapatos
Clare and Illingworth
L’Atelier London
Lanigan and Hulme
The British Red Cross
The Edit
Satya Sanctuary
Children’s Adventure Farm Trust

The event was introduced by sponsor and Knutsford-based personal stylist Laura Davies, who commented:

“Flash Fashion is always a super special event as all of our boutiques come together to showcase the incredible style our town has to offer. As a personal stylist, I’m very passionate about helping woman create wearable wardrobes that they love and part of that is about quality, uniqueness, and a memorable shopping experience, all of which can always be found in our independents. Thank you to everyone attending and to our boutiques for making the event special once again”

Flash Fashion remains a key fixture in Knutsford’s events calendar, championing the town’s thriving retail community.

13May2025

Local Groups Benefit from Community Grant Scheme

As part of the Knutsford Town Council Community Grant Scheme, we have awarded over £3,000 in grants to four local organisations that are actively supporting Knutsford by offering services to the community.

The first recipients of community grants in 2025 are the Knutsford Community First Responder Trust, Knutsford Scouts, Friends of St John’s Wood and Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper.

Knutsford Community First Responder Trust are a team of volunteers who run four local initiatives including teaching emergency life support skills and cardiac screening for young adults. This year they have been awarded £1,500 to fund new publicly accessible defibrillators, medical devices designed to restore the heartbeat in individuals experiencing cardiac arrest.

Peter Thompson, Chairman & CFR Lead shared “We at Knutsford Community First Responder Trust are delighted to continue our Partnership with the Town Council. Their continued support with this grant for replacement AEDs will contribute to keeping the people of Knutsford safe.”

The Knutsford Scouts are part of the UK’s biggest mixed youth organisation and help prepare young people with skills for life. The council is providing them with a new marquee worth £690 to use for events and activity.

Roger Turner, Scout Active Support Manager commented “Knutsford Scouts are delighted and grateful to be awarded a grant from the Knutsford Town Council’s Community Access Fund for a new marquee. The marquee will be an invaluable shared resource for all the Scout Groups in the Knutsford area and will be utilised extensively as a base for activities at Scout Camps and outdoor events as well as supporting local community events such as the Music Festival, all for the benefit of the young people of Knutsford.”

Friends of St John’s Wood have received £626 towards the provision of new information signs. The charity, which was established in 2020, works to improve the woodland and adjacent site of St. Helena’s Church.

The final grant of this round went to Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper, a self-funding weekly publication which supports individuals who are visually impaired. The charity has been awarded £350 towards the costs of redecorating their studio to provide a nicer environment for their volunteers to work in.

Chairman Margaret Hacking said, “On behalf of everyone at the Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper I would like to express our sincere thanks for the grant Knutsford Town Council provided, that has helped us give our studio a much-needed makeover.”

The Town Council’s small grants scheme aims to fund organisations and projects that provide improved services or opportunities that serve the local community. Community groups, registered charities and CICs can apply for up to £1,500 under the small grants scheme with the next deadline closing on 31^st August. To find out more visit: https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/community-grants

If you would like to learn more about the work of our recipients, please visit:

Knutsford Community First Responder Trust: https://www.kcfrt.org.uk/

The Knutsford Scouts: https://www.akdistrictscouts.org.uk/

Friends of St John’s Wood: https://www.fosjw.org.uk/

Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper: Facebook Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper

12May2025

Knutsford Market Hall Unveils Stunning Refurbishment

The much-loved Knutsford Market Hall officially re-opened its doors on May 10^th after a significant refurbishment, its first major upgrade since the 1980s.

The revitalised space, part funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund has created a brighter, warmer, and more inviting experience for traders, visitors, and residents.

Local contractor Built by Mode was contracted to deliver the programme of improvement works which included removing the old, suspended ceiling, levelling the floor and installing a new toilet, storeroom and kitchenette. All existing stall structures were removed and a new suite of permanent stalls created around the edge of the space, leaving the centre of the hall for pop-up traders and events.

Re-opening the market was one of the last duties carried out by outgoing Town Mayor, Cllr Colin Banks. Colin said, “I was delighted to formally re-open the market hall. It was wonderful to see the traders in their new stalls and welcome both familiar and new faces back to the market. The market is now a much more welcoming space offering customers a varied shopping experience in the heart of our town. Please shop small and local.”

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said, “We are delighted that the market has re-opened and is now a warm more comfortable space for our traders and customers alike. Over the coming months, we hope to host a number of additional pop-ups and events, and we urge everyone to visit the hall and discover what is new.”

The newly re-opened market hall welcomes new ventures such as Polka Bakery, Thai Kitchen and Cheshire Party Store. These have joined familiar faces such as The Market Café, Market Hall Barber, Slipped Discs, Market Hall Butcher and Deli, and Knutsford Mobile.

Left to Right Nok Waugh Mina Ponpuak Amelia Giblin Bee Gibb Of Thai Kitchen

a Corner of the Market hall showing Mike Oldham and Mike Brown of Market Hall Butcher

Cheshire Party Store is the new venture of Simon and Melanie Naylor of the Knutsford Art and Stationery Shop.

Sandra added “The Town Council is proud to provide the Market Hall as a space to support small businesses. By offering competitive rents, the market hall provides a valuable platform for businesses to grow without the high overheads of a high street location. We invite anyone interested in trading with us to get in touch.”

The central section of the market can also be hired by small businesses offering a variety of choice to the consumer. During the launch this space was utilised by Flower and Twine Co, The Kokedama Llama, A Passion for Learning, Made with Love by Lise, and Hot Cocoa. Hot Cocoa hopes to have regular pop-ups in the market hall pending her move to new premises on King Street. The hall can also be hired for events, community and interest groups outside of trading hours.

The Town Council is currently looking for a new fruit and veg stall operator as Heathfields, who previously traded from the space, decided not to return to the new market hall.

Knutsford Market Hall is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am.

If you wish to trade at the market hall you can apply here – https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/market-hall/trade

12May2025

Flash Fashion returns to the Catwalk this Saturday!

The wait is over – Flash Fashion Knutsford is back this Saturday 17^th May bringing style and excitement to the town as independent boutiques and fashion shops present their Spring/ Summer collections at The Lost & Found.

Organised by Knutsford Town Council this much-loved, daylong event also features pop-ups and in-store experiences throughout town. The event kicks off at 11am at The Lost & Found with a fashion show spotlighting the latest seasonal trends from local boutiques. The show will be introduced by event sponsor and Knutsford based stylist Laura Davies and compered by ITV presenter and owner of Dexter & Jones, Katie Rickitt.

Launched in 2019, Flash Fashion has become a highlight of the local calendar, celebrating the creativity and flair of Knutsford’s independent fashion scene. Last year’s event drew crowds in full force with this weekend’s event expecting a similar response.

Participating stores include

Kanoa Living
Cocaranti
Redress at Dexter and Jones
Blossom Boutique
Paris Ladies Boutique
Bare Necessities
Willow Boutiques
Chalk 33
Milania Boutique
Roberta Beauty Redefined
Zapatos
Clare and Illingworth
L ’Atelier London
Lanigan and Hulme
The British Red Cross
The Edit
Satya Sanctuary
Children’s Adventure Farm

Laura Philipson, Town Event Manager at Knutsford Town Council said “We are so excited to see Flash Fashion return to Knutsford this weekend. There is such a buzz in town that day and it’s a brilliant chance to visit Knutsford and discover the independent shopping scene”

Roberta Dyer from Roberta Beauty Re-Defined said “I love this event. I take part in the fashion show as a model which is so much fun! Then afterwards I am offering beauty treatment tasters in both Claire & Illingworth and Willow Boutiques. It is certainly a day not to be missed in Knutsford” For further details on the event follow Discover Knutsford on both Facebook and Instagram. More details can be found at www.discoverknutsford.com/events.

30Apr2025

Six joins Taste Knutsford food tours

Six Knutsford, the vibrant new hospitality venue located in Silk Mill Street, has announced its participation in both the Taste Knutsford food tour and the Knutsford Voucher scheme.

Opened in September by the Mitchell family in the former Freemason’s building, Six Knutsford has quickly established itself as a popular addition to the town’s thriving hospitality scene. The venue boasts a diverse offering, including a curated selection of craft beer, an impressive range of cocktails and wines, and regular live music nights. Its recently developed outside space features an outdoor bar and a private room available for private hire.

Steve Mitchell, owner of Six Knutsford, commented, “We’ve been overwhelmed by the warm welcome we’ve received since opening in September and already feel like a valued part of the Knutsford community.

The Knutsford Voucher scheme is a fantastic initiative and, importantly, comes at no cost to our business. We encourage anyone who has received or purchased vouchers to pop in and enjoy our offerings, perhaps for a delicious bite to eat during their shopping trip!”

Six Knutsford’s contribution to the Taste Knutsford food tour will be a selection of their popular small plate menu. Steve added, “This is another excellent tourism initiative for the town. Knutsford truly is the culinary capital of mid-Cheshire, and we are excited to participate in our first food tour.”

The Knutsford Voucher scheme, launched in 2020, currently has 45 participating businesses, providing a convenient way for locals and visitors to support the town centre. Taste Knutsford has been delighting tourists and residents since 2018 with its monthly guided food tours. These tours, lasting approximately three hours, showcase a variety of independent eateries and provide a taste of Knutsford’s diverse culinary landscape.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Six Knutsford to both the voucher scheme and Taste Knutsford. The voucher scheme complements any individual voucher programmes our businesses may run and offers another fantastic way to experience the diverse retail and hospitality offerings within our town centre. Taste Knutsford provides a wonderful introduction to our independent restaurants, bars, and cafes, and we are confident that Six will quickly become a much-loved stop for our guests.”

Any Knutsford based small regional or independent hospitality venue can take part in the tour. If you wish book a tour, please visit www.tasteknutsford.co.uk Private tours for 8 or more can also be arranged.

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