Alfresco Dining Minishull Street

Fun for all the family at Family Fest

The sun was shining on Sunday 10th August for the third Knutsford Family Fest. Families flocked to the town to take advantage of the variety of family friendly activities across shops, restaurants, and community spaces in Knutsford town centre.

Attendees had options to start the day with a choice of family friendly yoga sessions from Sataya Sanctuary, a lively music class from Popcat’s Music Time or a phonics class with Robot Reg!

Children also had a chance to stitch their own souvenir in Knutsford Heritage Centre after viewing their stunning Millennium Tapestry.

The Knutsford Fire Service was in attendance outside the Lost and Found showing children around the fire engine. There was some wonderful food and drink on Minshull Street courtesy of Linden Stores and Jordy’s Pizza and also outside The Lost and Found. Both were bustling with diners enjoying the chilled-out atmosphere and sunshine. There was also a paella party at everyone’s favourite Spanish restaurant Evuna.

Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe hosted face painting sessions and a fancy dress competition judged by Knutsford Town Mayor Councillor Bryan Hartley. There was also a well-attended children’s disco at Knutsford Market Hall which also saw Bahattin of The Market Café demonstrate some Greek dancing!

The sponsor of the event, Cottons had a pop-up promoting their hotel alongside a competition to win a spa day for two. Ian Gatley, Cotton’s Sales Manager, said, “We loved taking part in our first family fest. It was lovely to see so many people outside in the sunshine enjoying themselves. Thanks to everyone who came to visit us and congratulations to the winner of our spa competition.”

Sandra Curties, Town Central Manager at Knutsford Town Council said; “We were delighted with the response to our third family Fest. The sun shone and children of all ages had a wonderful time. Thanks to everyone who collaborated on this event, we can’t wait for Family Fest 2026. It was also wonderful to see our refurbished market hall come to life with an amazing children’s disco tunes from DJ Pete Deane!”

Photo Credit – Charlie Norbury Photography

Stolen Lamb Canopy

Stolen Lamb joins the Knutsford voucher family.

Knutsford’s newest restaurant, the Stolen Lamb, has joined the growing list of businesses accepting the Knutsford Voucher.

The family-run Greek restaurant opened in August in the former Botanist premises on King Street and has proved extremely popular with locals and visitors since opening. Saphina Hadjiyianni, owner, said “We’ve been delighted with the welcome we’ve received in Knutsford. We’ve been so busy too with both locals and visitors paying a visit to taste our authentic Greek dishes – so a huge thank you! We are pleased to accept the Knutsford voucher too – it is a great scheme that both keeps spend local and makes a great gift!”

Photo – Sandra Curties of Knutsford Town Council Left to Right Saphina Hadjiyianni (owner) and Charley Ruocco (manager) of The Stolen Lamb
Photo – Sandra Curties of Knutsford Town Council
Left to Right Saphina Hadjiyianni (owner) and Charley Ruocco (manager) of The Stolen Lamb

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager for Knutsford Town Council, said, “When we introduced the voucher scheme back in 2020, we had no expectation as to the response or longevity of the scheme. We are so pleased it is still in operation, and we’ve added a gift card too. The voucher makes such a lovely gift for all ages with such a variety of businesses accepting it. We are proud to say you can now enjoy Greek food alongside buying a coffee, a cushion, womenswear, or a chicken!”

The Knutsford voucher was launched in 2020 and currently 50 different businesses accept the scheme. The voucher can be ordered via the Discover Knutsford website or in person at the town council offices. They come complete with a gift card, and each business is paid back in full.

Press Contact Sandra Curties Sandra.curties@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Kay Baker (Hope Central), Paul Deakin (St Cross), Bryan Hartley, Hillary Savage (Lay Minister) and Ian Robertson (Hope Central)

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 31st August. For more information visit: https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/community-grants.

A group stood in the park on Yoga mats

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 24th 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

The Knutsford Town Council Offices in the sunshine

Introducing Ward Walks

Knutsford Town Council is trialling a new engagement activity later this month – Ward Walks.

Walk Walks will see councillors taking a walk around their patch to meet residents, identify issues and generally engage with those they meet along the way.

The first Ward Walks will see Cllr Colin Banks out in St John’s Wood ward (25th July) and Cllr Bryan Hartley around Nether Ward (15th August).

Cllr Banks will be starting at local community venue The Welcome, the route will then proceed around Longridge from 11:30am until 1pm. Residents are invited to meet with Colin as he walks around part of the ward, raising any issues you have or would like to see the Town Council address.

Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk said “The Walk Walks are an active councillor surgery – instead of waiting for residents to come to them, the councillors will be out on the street looking to meet with residents to discuss issues affecting that ward and share more of what the council is doing”.

Subject to the success of the walks, it is intended that a rolling programme of the walks would be planned across Spring/Summer months.

The Town Council will be sharing more information on our social media, so don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook –  or sign-up to our newsletter for the full range of town news by visiting www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/newsletter.

For more information about Ward Walks please visit www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/ward-walks or for enquiries please contact lucy.fox@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01565 653 929.

Knutsford Young Artist of the Year Competetion 2025

Knutsford Young Artist of the Year 2025

Knutsford Young Artist of the Year was first held in 2022 to showcase young local artistic talent. Once again, we’re inviting young local artists to unleash their full artistic potential, whether that be in the form of paintings, digital art, ceramics, illustrations or something else!

There are two categories:

  • Junior artist: 4 to 11 years old
  • Young artist: 12 to 18 years old

The competition is open for entries until 18th July.

A judging panel will shortlist several entries, who will then be invited to a special awards evening at Knutsford Market Hall on Sunday 17th August. The artists’ work will be displayed in the newly renovated Market Hall for the evening, and a winner and runner up in each category will be awarded and receive a prize.

To enter a valid submission in the competition, you must:

  • Live in Knutsford, or
  • Study at a Knutsford school

To enter the competition, please deliver your submission by 5pm on Friday 18th July, to:

Knutsford Town Council Offices, Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 6TA. Entries should be accompanied by a piece of paper recording the entrant’s name, age and address and contact information for their parent/guardian.

The judging panel will then shortlist their favourite entries and those shortlisted will be invited to the awards presentation evening, which will be held on Sunday 17th August from 5.30pm.

For more information, please contact enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01565 653 929.

Knutsford Music Festival Success!

The 2025 Knutsford Music Festival, organised by Knutsford Town Council, has concluded with resounding success, drawing music enthusiasts from across the region and beyond. Held from June 5 to 8, the festival featured an eclectic lineup spanning folk, blues, gospel, and pop, transforming Knutsford into a vibrant hub of live music and community engagement.

The folk program, curated by BBC Radio presenter Mark Radcliffe, returned for its eighth year showcasing artists such as Katherine Priddy and Rusty’s Wild Rovers. Performances took place at St John’s Church and Knutsford Little Theatre, captivating audiences with intimate and heartfelt music.

Music on the Moor took place on Saturday 7th June. This free, open-air event celebrated local talent, offering four hours of live music, craft workshops, and circus performances. Despite challenging weather conditions, attendees maintained high spirits, demonstrating the community’s enthusiasm and support.

Festival organisers as the town council have already began planning for the 2026 edition and would love to know what you would like to see included next year! Events Manager Laura Phillipson expressed gratitude to sponsors and attendees, stating, “A huge thanks to everyone who got involved and supported this year’s events, especially to the ticket buyers and attendees of Music on The Moor. The weather was against us, but the crowd were in great spirits.”

Local businesses reported increased foot traffic and sales during the festival weekend, underscoring the event’s positive economic impact on the town.

The Knutsford Town Council is committed to building on this year’s success, with plans to enhance the festival experience in 2026. Organisers are seeking feedback from attendees and residents to ensure the continued growth and relevance of the festival. Suggestions and comments can be directed to Laura Phillipson at laura.phillipson@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Photographs by Sadie Whitrigg @Whittriggsadie.

Cathryn Walley and Geraint Samuels from Friends of St John's Wood stood with Mayor Colin Banks with £626 cheque.

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 31st 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

A group of ladies are stood posing and smiling in colourful dresses after the fashion show.

Flash Fashion returns to the Catwalk this Saturday!

The wait is over – Flash Fashion Knutsford is back this Saturday 17th 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.

Staff of SIX stood behind the bar of new restaurant smiling.

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.