Changes at Knutsford Market Hall

Knutsford Market Hall is buzzing with activity this month as it welcomes a local chocolate specialist, celebrates the expansion of a popular party boutique, and sees its newest grocer go digital.

The Market Hall family has grown with the arrival of Hattie Cufflin, the talent behind Hot Cocoa. Hattie opened her stall on Tuesday, January 13th, providing a temporary home for her artisan chocolates while her new permanent premises on King Street are being prepared.

Visitors can enjoy Hattie’s signature range of bon-bons and homemade chocolates, as well as access her bespoke cake ordering and collection service.

“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to trade in the Market Hall,” said Hattie Cufflin. “The traders have been incredibly welcoming, and it’s the perfect arrangement. Whether you are a regular or a new face, please come and visit—I’ll ensure your favourites are in stock!”

The Market Hall is also celebrating the success of Cheshire Party Store. Owners Simon and Melanie Naylor have moved into the larger stall previously occupied by Polka Bakery. This expansion allows them to showcase a wider variety of cards, balloons, and stationery. Fans of Polka Bakery needn’t worry, as the bakery will continue its presence in the hall as a weekly pop-up.

Simon and Melanie Naylor of Cheshire Party Store

Melanie Naylor commented: “We’ve been outgrowing our stall for some time, so we are thrilled to move to a larger space. We love trading in the Market Hall and are excited to offer even more to our customers.”

The market’s newest addition, York & Co. – The Grocer is expanding its horizons. Alongside a new range of organic staples and cold-pressed juices, they have officially launched their website: www.yorkandco.co.uk. Customers can now order tailored organic vegetable boxes for free local delivery or market collection.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, added: “We are delighted to have Hot Cocoa on board and to see Cheshire Party Store thriving. Offering local delivery is a fantastic step for York & Co., catering to our busy residents who can’t always visit us during the week.”

The full list of market traders is as follows –

  • The Market Café
  • Thai Kitchen
  • Hot Cocoa
  • Market Hall Barber
  • Slipped Discs
  • Cheshire Party Show
  • Market Hall Butcher
  • Knutsford Mobile
  • York & Co. – The Grocer.

Knutsford Market Hall is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and every Makers Market Sunday.

Pop-ups can apply to trade via https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/market-hall/trade

Photo Credit – Knutsford Town Council and Lee Boswell Photography

Kevin Jardine and May Lynch

Prevent Breast Cancer Quiz Night at Knutsford Market Hall

Knutsford Market Hall is gearing up to host a fun-filled fundraising quiz night on Wednesday, December 3rd, in aid of charity Prevent Breast Cancer. The evening promises great entertainment, delicious food, and the chance to win fantastic prizes, all while supporting a crucial cause.

The quiz will be hosted by local quiz master Kevin Jardine with food and drink available from Thai Kitchen and raffle prizes to win from a selection of local businesses including Roberta Beauty Redefined, Detaljer, Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe, Hot Cocoa, The White Orchid Floral Boutique and Cottons Hotel and Spa. Thai Kitchen will also be contributing a percentage of profits from the evening to this worthwhile charity.

Kevin will put teams’ general knowledge to the test. Attendees can look forward to enjoying tasty food and drinks from Thai Kitchen, which is also generously contributing a percentage of its profits from the evening directly to the charity.

The newly refurbished Market Hall will open its doors to quiz-goers at 7:00 PM, with the quiz kicking off promptly at 7:30 PM.

Tickets are priced at £20 and cover a team of four or six people A small prize awaits the winning team!

Kerri Reece, a local resident and representative for Prevent Breast Cancer, shared her excitement: “We are really looking forward to everyone attending the quiz night, having fun, enjoying the Thai food, and of course, raising money for this worthwhile charity. All monies raised on the night will go directly to the charity.”

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, added, “We are delighted to host the quiz in aid of Prevent Breast Cancer and look forward to a great, festive evening here at the Market Hall.”

Prevent Breast Cancer is the only UK charity committed solely to predicting and preventing breast cancer. For more information about their work, visit: https://preventbreastcancer.org.uk/

Tickets can be purchased via: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pbc/1918368

North West based Prevent Breast Cancer is the only UK charity committed solely to predicting and preventing breast cancer. Further information can be found here –

An aerial photo of the new market hall roof

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

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.

Alex Molloy, York and Co

Organic grocer opens in Market Hall

Knutsford Market Hall is delighted to announce the opening of its new organic greengrocer, York & Co. – The Grocer, bringing a new destination for fresh, organic produce in the town centre.

York & Co. – The Grocer is founded on the principle of providing high-quality, sustainably sourced food with a focus on supporting farmers and producers. The store will offer a wide range of organic fruits and vegetables and juices.

Alex Molloy owner of York & Co. – The Grocer said, “We’re so excited to open our doors at Knutsford Market Hall and be part of such a vibrant community. York + Co. is all about celebrating what’s in season, showcasing amazing growers and farms— from purple sprouting broccoli from Pollybell Farms to fennel from Strawberry Fields. We want to make it easier for people to enjoy fresh, organic food that’s good for you, good for the planet, and grown with care. Opening week has already shown us how much love there is locally for organic produce, and we can’t wait to keep sharing it with our community — including our weekly veg boxes and cold-pressed juices, which are coming very soon.”

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said, “We are delighted that York & Co have joined our market hall family. The market now offers a one stop shop for bread, pastries, meat, poultry, eggs and a fantastic new greengrocer. Our new grocer is set to become a vibrant hub for food lovers and a cornerstone of the community.”

The full list of market traders are as follows –

  • The Market Café
  • Thai Kitchen
  • Polka Bakery
  • Market Hall Barber
  • Slipped Discs
  • Cheshire Party Show
  • Market Hall Butcher
  • Knutsford Mobile
  • York & Co. – The Grocer.

Knutsford Market Hall is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and every Makers Market Sunday. It will also be open for the Christmas Markets on 29th and 30th November.

Pop-ups can apply to trade via https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/market-hall/trade

Left to right Mayoress Christine Banks, Knutsford Town Mayor Colin Banks, Right Honourable Esther McVey MP, Sir Philip Davis, stood in the newly opened Market Hall

Knutsford Market Hall Unveils Stunning Refurbishment

The much-loved Knutsford Market Hall officially re-opened its doors on May 10th 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.

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

Cllr April Johnson hands the key to the Market to Jim Southall of Built by Mode.

Works on Knutsford Market Hall commence

The long-awaited refurbishment of Knutsford Market Hall has started this week.

Local building contractors, Built by Mode, were handed the keys to the building on Tuesday and have swiftly commenced the strip-out of the building. The first phase of work involves stripping out the existing stall structures, ceiling and floor coverings.

The programme then involves raising the level of the floor, building new stall structures improving security and storage for traders, the installation of a new accessible toilet and a kitchenette to support the hall’s use outside market hours.

“It is exciting to be underway with the refurbishment and we are really looking forward to welcoming the traders back into the building once works are complete” said Cllr April Johnson.

This project has received £160,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the balance of costs are funded through previous market hall income and the council’s capital reserve.

Works are expected to last until the end of March with old and new traders moving back in in April. Whilst works are ongoing, the Market Butcher and Heathfield Fruit and Veg are trading from the car park, whilst Market Hall Barber Pino is working from 2nd Knutsford Scout Hut by appointment.

We will be posting regular updates on the works via social media.  

Knutsford Market Hall

Market Hall Refurbishment Update

In September 2023 the Town Council was awarded a £560,000 grant from the government towards the renovation of the Market Hall. As with any grant, the award was subject to a number of conditions.

The funding application was based on initial costings developed by quantity surveyors to the outline design. During the last twelve months this project has been progressing through the detailed design and tender stage. Tendering was concluded in September and the project came in significantly over budget and would have required around a further £200,000 to be found. At the same time, there was a requirement to complete within a certain timeframe for both this funding and the £160,000 of funding provided through another fund which mean the planned project could not be delivered either in time or on budget.

Value engineering took place to develop a revised scheme that could be delivered within the funding envelope and time. Unfortunately, the government did not approve the revised scheme or an extension to the grant period, and has withdrawn its funding.

The Town Council will now be exploring what improvements to the Market Hall it can deliver with the £160,000 grant from the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Town Mayor Cllr Colin Banks said “This is obviously extremely disappointing news for our market traders, the council and the market community – especially after the excitement of the prospect of a more significant investment”.

“We will now strive to deliver the best possible improvement to the Market Hall with available funds and aim to ensure our Market Hall can continue to provide a home to small businesses in our town centre”

Sabrina Cowley of Its a Little Thing, standing in front of some cards

It’s the Little Things opens in Knutsford Market Hall

It’s the Little Things have opened  a contemporary and largely eco-friendly card stall in Knutsford Market Hall.

Owner, Sabrina Cowley said,  I am delighted to be back trading in the market hall.  It’s the Little Things will sell a range of reasonably priced contemporary and eco-friendly cards and balloons. I will be selling a small range of gifts suitable for birthdays, christenings or just to cheer up someone’s day.  After all it is the little things that count!”.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said, “There is a definite need in Knutsford for reasonably priced cards and celebratory gifts and balloons.  It’s the Little Things fills that gap, and we are delighted to have Sabrina back in the market hall as a permanent trader. As everyone knows, 2024 is a huge year for our market hall.  Not only is it our 60th anniversary it also the year we refurbish the market. This will signify a new chapter in the market’s history and secure its position in the heart of Knutsford for future generations”.

Knutsford Market Hall is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm.  

Permanent traders are as follows –Heathfield Fruit and Veg, The Market Butcher, The Market Café, The Market Hall Barber, Slipped Discs, Knutsford Mobile and Nyx Cat Crystals. There is also one pop-up stall – Knutsford Sports Exchange. Due to the pending refurbishment, the market is currently only looking for short term pop-ups.  If interested, please email hello@knutsfordmarket.co.uk with details of your stall.

A CGI render of the revised frontage to the market hall

Market Hall Planning Application Submitted

Plans for the renovation of Knutsford Market Hall have taken a step forward with the submission of the planning application, which is due to be determined by 25th March 2024.

The application, reference 24/0336M, was prepared by Knutsford based Hive Architects on behalf of Knutsford Town Council and sets out proposals for the major remodelling of the front to the market. The refurbished market hall will benefit from a large, glazed front and new rooflights to flood the building with natural light.

The works will create a modern and flexible trading space with a central section of demountable seating and stalls to create an open hall which will be used for events and community uses outside trading hours.

The materials for the redesigned front have been influenced by the Knutsford Design Guide which specifies traditional materials of brick, wood and slate to be used. The brick has been selected to fit in with the exposed brickwork near Silk Mill Street and will include raking soldier courses around the gables and alternate projecting brick courses to add interest and depth to the façade.

The proposals include a number of measures to enhance the environmental sustainability of the building, including a sedum roof, solar panels, an air-source heat pump to provide heating and the installation of insulation. The market will feature bifold and automatic doors enabling the frontage to be open during the summer but retain heat during the winter.

This project has received £720,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Community Ownership Fund.

“Knutsford Market Hall was built in 1964 and as it celebrates its diamond anniversary it will be having a major renovation to ensure its ongoing vitality. These proposals will create a bright and flexible trading space and enable the building to be used more efficiently for the community” said Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green.

“Whilst the planning application is being determined we’re now working with our structural engineer and architect on the technical design of the building and developing the design of the internal stall structures”

“We are also working with our traders on the plans to relocate the market into 60 King Street when works take place ensuring our businesses can continue to trade with minimal interruption”.  Adam added.

Knutsford Market Hall remains open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8am to 4pm where customers can find a butcher, greengrocer, crystals, records, thai food, a café, barbers and mobile phone repairs. The market is hosting a variety of pop-up stalls which are promoted on social media.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus