Town Council News | Knutsford Town Council

11Aug2025

A Roof Over the Heads of Hall Users

St Cross Church is one of the latest organisations to receive support through the Knutsford Town Council Community Grant Scheme.

The church has been awarded £1,500 towards the projects costs of recovering the church hall roof. The hall was built in 1980 – 100 years after St Cross Church itself was built and this is the first time the roof has been recovered.

The renewal of the roof will support a vital community asset and was supported with donations of over £12,000 and funding from other sources. As an accessible building with a range of modern and renovated facilities, the hall is used for several community purposes, the lynchpin of which is Hope Central – a charity bringing hope and relieving poverty in Cheshire East.

Hope Central use the hall as a base for their Monday morning drop-in centre, which offers free access to a range of services, as well as food, hot drinks and opportunities for connection and community. Individuals can access debt help, support into employment, and access to courses which provide support about how to live well on a budget. The service has significant impact across the town, fortified use of the hall.

Reverend Paul Deakin, Vicar of St Cross Church, thanked Knutsford Town Council for its award of £1,500 grant towards the cost of recovering the church hall roof:

“As part of the re-roofing project, improved insulation was put in place, alongside a double-glazed replacement skylight. It is all part of the church’s efforts to be as sustainable as possible.”

“The works ensure the hall’s continued use as a community hub by organisations ranging from a Pilates group to the foodbank and weekly drop-in centre run by Hope Central. Organisations are welcome to use the hall – and there’s still some availability for others to do so. By all means let me know, if you’re interested.”

For more information about St Cross Church please visit https://www.stcrossknutsford.org.uk/ or call 01565 640702.And if you’d like to find out more about Hope Central please visit https://hopecentral.org.uk/.

The Town Council’s Community Grant Scheme provides grants of up to £1,500 to support community projects and activities within Knutsford. Funding priorities include providing services/opportunities for young people or older people, providing new or improved assets or services for the community and enhancing the profile or reputation of the Town. The next deadline for applications is 31^st August. For more information visit: https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/community-grants.

1Aug2025

Silence to honour VJ Day 80

Knutsford Town Council will be holding a short two-minute silence at 12 noon on the 15^{th of} August to honour the 80^th Anniversary of VJ Day.

Led by the Town mayor, Cllr Bryan Hartley it will take place at the Centennial War Memorial, Library Garden, Toft Road.

We hope the Knutsford community can join us as we pay tribute to all those who served in the Far East and the Pacific.

For more information contact Gemma Jackson, Civic Events officer gemma.jackson@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

31Jul2025

Family Fest returns to town

The third Family Fest is returning to Knutsford once again this summer.

Family Fest takes place across the town’s shops, restaurants, and community spaces and sees Knutsford Town Council collaborating with local businesses to organise a day jam packed with activities.

The event takes place on Sunday 10^th August and is kindly sponsored by Cottons Hotel and Spa.

Families can start the day gently with a choice of four yoga sessions with Satya Sanctuary, a phonics session with Robot Reg at Charlton Lodge, and enjoy a paella party at Evuna with children receiving a free soft drink and ice cream! Families can then finish the day with a children’s disco with dancing, games and prizes hosted by DJ Pete Deane at Knutsford Market Hall. The disco can be booked by visiting https://www.discoverknutsford.com/product/family-fest-childrens-disco/ popping into the Council Offices on Toft Road or calling the town council on 01565 653929 to make payment and reserve your slot.

For the creatives, Knutsford Olde Sweet shop will be holding a fancy dress competition, with prizes for each entrant.

We are also hoping for an appearance from Knutsford Fire Service (outside the Lost and Found) and a police van at Minshull Street, pending any emergencies.

This year’s event also coincides with alfresco dining on Minshull Street with Linden Stores co-hosting a pizza party (including live music) with Jordy’s Pizza.

Ian Gatley of Cottons said “We love being part of the community in the town and are delighted to sponsor Knutsford’s third FamilyFest. We look forward to meeting visitors and residents at our pop-up outside the Lost and Found and good luck to those entering our prize draw to win a spa day for two!”

Activities include:

Face painting and fancy-dress competition at Knutsford Olde Sweet Shop
Paella party at Evuna
Four family friendly yoga sessions at Satya Sanctuary
Phonics with Robot Reg at the Tatton Room in Curzon
Children’s Disco with DJ Pete Deane at Knutsford Market Hall
PopCat’s Music Time at Knutsford Market Hall
Linden Stores hosting an alfresco pizza party with Jordy’s Pizza including live music.
Stitch your own souvenir at Knutsford Heritage Centre
Cotton’s Hotel and Spa pop-up and prize draw
Fire Engine Fun outside the Lost and Found

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said “We are delighted to see the return of FamilyFest. Last year’s event proved extremely popular with families. We’ve pulled together a great programme with lots of variety so hopefully there is something for everyone. Just collect a flyer from local shops, the library and market hall, visit www.discoverknutsford.com and book any activities where required and just enjoy the atmosphere. Like everyone else we are praying for the sun to shine!”

29Jul2025

Paint Knutsford just under three weeks away

If you’re visiting Knutsford this summer, Paint Knutsford! is a must-see artistic event taking place on Sunday 17 August 2025, from 9.30 am to 5pm. Organised by Knutsford Town Council and kindly sponsored by King Street Dental, this free-to-attend open-air painting festival brings art to life in the historic town centre.

Over 30 Artists—both professionals and amateurs—will set up outdoor ‘studios’ around the town, painting live throughout the day and a trail map will be available guiding you to each artists location so you can watch creations unfold in real time. The finished artwork will be displayed in Knutsford Market Hall from 4:30pm where a judging panel will decide who takes home the prize.

As part of the festivities, Knutsford Market Hall will also exhibit a special display of artwork by Knutsford’s budding young talents with judging taking place at 3.30pm by Knutsford Town Mayor Cllr Bryan Hartley and local gallery owner Tony Turner.

Speaking about the event, Tony said “It’s always difficult to judge individual artwork but initial impact of colour and narrative play a huge part for me. I’m looking forward to this event tremendously and seeing all the artist’s work and their enthusiasm.”

Alongside the event, Alfresco Dining will be in place along King Street allowing visitors to watch the painting whilst enjoying the local Knutsford hospitality.

Maps of the artists locations can be picked up at Council offices and various town centre businesses.

For further information on our events programme, visit www.discoverknutsford.co.uk or @DiscoverKnutsford on our social channels. Enquiries can be sent to enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01565 653 929.

28Jul2025

LOL Cheshire event to support Town Mayor’s Charities

The Mayor of Knutsford, Cllr Bryan Hartley and Paul Langley of LOL Cheshire are excited to announce a special fundraising comedy night to be held at Knutsford Little Theatre. This collaboration is now into it’s second year, with tickets selling out super-fast in 2024.

The LOL X Mayor of Knutsford Comedy Night takes place on 19^th September at Knutsford Little Theatre with doors opening at 7:15pm, featuring some of the finest comedians from LOL Cheshire, including MC Dom Woodward, Joe Zalias and Gavin Webster.

Paul Langley says “After the success of the event in 2024, I am thrilled to be supporting the Town Mayor again at LOL X The Mayor. You can expect not only a brilliant night of stand up from the very comedians around but also raising vital funds for the Knutsford in Bloom and East Cheshire Hospice.

Civic Events officer, Gemma Jackson “Last years event was hilarious, my face hurt from laughing so much. The event was such a success due to Paul and the volunteers at Knutsford Little Theatre. I would like to thank them for supporting the mayors fundraising efforts”.

Tickets are priced at £15, with all proceeds going to the Mayor’s chosen charities, East Cheshire Hospice and Knutsford in Bloom. They can be purchased online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/socialpromotions.

Cllr Bryan Hartley added “I encourage you to buy your tickets early, as this event is expected to sell out quickly”

For more information, please contact civic events officer Gemma Jackson by email gemma.jackson@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or by telephoning 01565 653929

25Jul2025

Knutsford Market Hall sponsors Yoga in the Park

Knutsford Market Hall is sponsoring Satya Sanctuary’s August Yoga in the Park session. These free sessions take place on The Moor and the whole community is welcome.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said, “Satya Sanctuary opened last September and has quickly become part of the fabric of Knutsford. The market hall’s ethos is ‘a vibrant hub for local life’ so sponsoring this event was an easy decision. We are pleased we have enabled this community initiative to be free to all”

Charlotte Montgomery, founder of Satya Sanctuary said, “We are delighted Knutsford Market Hall is sponsoring August’s Yoga in the Park. At Satya we are passionate about bringing the benefits of yoga to as wider audience as possible. These free sessions are suitable for all, just bring a mat or towel and enjoy the session.”

August’s session will take place on August 24^th August at 3.30pm on The Moor. Although the sessions are free pre-booking is essential. You can book via https://www.satyasanctuary.co.uk/book-a-class or download Satya’s app.

Knutsford Market Hall is located on Silk Mill Street, Knutsford and is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Makers Market Sunday from 9am to 4pm

Satya Sanctuary is located on Unit 6a, 44-46 King Street, Knutsford and offers a range of classes throughout the week. www.satyasanctuary.co.uk

22Jul2025

Market Hall Traders Join Taste Knutsford

Two new Knutsford Market Hall traders have joined the ever-popular food lovers tour Taste Knutsford.

Thai Kitchen run by May Lynch has proved extremely popular dining option since the market hall re-opened in May this year. Originally from Thailand, May moved to the UK 8 years ago and has worked in a variety of Thai restaurants as well as honing her skills as a sushi chef. There is already a Thai Kitchen Lymm and now Taste Knutsford tour guests can enjoy her authentic dishes made from fresh ingredients.

May Lynch, said, “I am delighted to be part of Taste Knutsford. A walking food tour is such a unique proposition for a small town such as Knutsford, and it is great that Thai food will now be added to the offer. We will be offering a range of Thai tapas such as spring rolls, fish cakes, pork dumplings, vegan crackers, and tofu satay.”

Polka Polish Bakery offer a cost friendly range of freshly-baked goods including sour dough, granary bread, challah bread and a range of delicious cakes and pastries. Their offer for the tour will be take-out samples from their speciality Polish range”

Kacper Serafin, Polka Bakery’s owner, said, “Taste Knutsford is a great way of promoting both our little bakery and the refurbished market hall to residents and visitors to the town. We can’t wait!”

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said, “We are thrilled to that Thai Kitchen and Polka Polish Bakery are joining fellow market traders, The Market Café and the Market butcher and taking part in Taste Knutsford. Taste Knutsford provides a wonderful introduction to our independent restaurants, bars, and cafes, and we are confident that they will both 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.

15Jul2025

Cemetery retains Green Flag Award

Knutsford Cemetery is one of only 80 cemeteries in the country to receive the prestigious Green Flag, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Management of Knutsford Cemetery returned to the Town Council in 2020 and over the last five years the council has undertaken a number of improvements to the way it manages the site, from the management of burial rights, the safety of memorials and the quality of the grounds. Knutsford Cemetery secured the Green Flag mark in 2022 and has retained it annually since.

Town Mayor, Cllr Bryan Hartley, who lives close to the cemetery said “I regularly visit the cemetery and am proud of the investment this council has made to improving the grounds for visitors.

The award is in no small part due to the dedication of our Cemetery Groundskeeper Fergal Owen, and I’d like to thank him for his excellent and continued work for us”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in Knutsford Cemetery who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.”

14Jul2025

Bees’ Needs Champion Award

Knutsford Town Council has been awarded one of the 2025 Bees Needs Champion Awards in recognition of its work taking action to support pollinators.

Through its Nature Action Plan working group, the council has helped create wildflower meadows in locations across the town and this year launched the Knutsford Bee Trail to raise awareness of practical steps residents can take to help reverse the pollinator decline.

The award was made as part of Bees Needs Week, which runs from 14^th to 20^th July. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators and share ideas, actions and activities that highlight the ways in which everyone can help them thrive.

When most people think of bees, they think of honeybees, but there are over 270 species of bee in the UK, including the honeybee, 24 species of bumblebee and many different solitary bees. Honeybee populations are doing relatively well, however many wild bee populations, including solitary bees and bumblebees, are struggling. Causes of decline include habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

“Our focus this year has been on supporting pollinating insects as so much of the rest of nature, including us, relies on strong pollinator populations” said Cllr Rex Mears, Chair of the council’s Environment and Transport Committee.

“We are proud to have received the Bees Needs Champion Award this year recognising the importance of the work we are doing, and we hope this will help inspire others to take action. We will continue on our mission to enhance Knutsford’s ecology”

“I would like to thank the nature action plan working group volunteers and the residents that attended the bee trail launch event, without whom this would not have been possible.” Rex added.

The council has created an information page on its website to share steps residents can take to support pollinators at home, as well as finding out more about the Knutsford Bee Trail. This can be found at https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/bee-trail

There are 5 simple actions that anyone can take to help pollinators:

Grow more nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees. Using window or balcony boxes are good options if you do not have a garden.
Let patches of garden and land grow wild.
Cut grass less often.
Do not disturb insect nests and hibernation spots.
Think carefully about whether to use pesticides.

The Town Council is also running a pollinator photography competition, with entries closing on 31^st August. Photos need to show pollinators in action, including at least one pollinator and flower. More details can be found at https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/bee-trail/photo-comp.

Bee Trail maps can be picked up at locations across the town and will be distributed through school bookbags ahead of the start of the summer holidays. To celebrate Bees Needs Week, you can also find out more about the Bee Trail and our pollinators on the Moor from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 19^th July.

11Jul2025

60 King Street Update

The Council’s Assets and Operations Committee met on Monday 30^th June and received an update from Bruntwood in relation to 60 King Street.

As set out in the previous update (4^th June), Bruntwood had commissioned a detailed structural survey to inform discussions. The condition survey highlighted the scale of repair works required to the building; the majority of these works were known and identified in previous surveys for the building, these included major works to the rear courtyard and roof over the kitchen, and renewal of many of the different rooves. There were also further works highlighted which arise from the building being vacant for a long period.

Bruntwood remains of the view that it would be possible to find a residential use for the upper floors that could resolve the fabric issues and future proof the building, leaving a lettable asset on the ground floor for a more active public facing use, such as a bar/restaurant.

The Town Council has asked Bruntwood to develop this into a detailed proposal as to exactly how this could be taken forward. This will look at how the upper floors would be converted, how circulation in the building would work and developing interest from potential partners. It will also ascertain how the ground floor would be managed and future timescales.

The Town Council has asked for this to be submitted by 31^st August and it will then be discussed by the Assets and Operations Committee on 22^nd September when a decision on this option will be made. A further statement will be released after this meeting.

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