Town Centre | Knutsford Town Council

5Dec2024

Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe awarded first place in Knutsford’s Christmas Window Competition!

Knutsford’s annual Christmas Window Competition, hosted by Knutsford Town Council, has once again brought seasonal cheer to the town centre.

The annual competition is judged by the Town Mayor alongside Ian Cass, Managing Director of the Forum of Private Business which also sponsors the annual Knutsford Town Awards. Town Mayor Cllr Colin Banks and Ian toured the town centre to view all the window displays created by local businesses.

This year the winner was Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe with their traditional festive window that has continued to delight younger visitors to the town. Jessica Stone salon, who opened earlier this year on Church Hill, took second place for the elegant and carefully decorated window. Tatton Perk came third with their artistic Christmas illustration which was the work of a staff member Alexander Montgomery.

The overall winner was presented with a trophy and certificate with 2^nd Place and 3^rd Place certificates going to the runners up. Certificates were also presented for best small window and best charity shop window.

The best small window award went to R.I Home with their ski inspired window which perfectly complimented the range of products on sale. Age UK won best charity shop window for their traditional and vintage Christmas display.

Town Mayor Cllr Colin Banks said, “The Christmas windows in the town centre this year were as impressive as ever. You can see how much effort goes into the displays with many business owners spending hours on them themselves. The shops should all be immensely proud of the displays and how they collectively create a very festive shopping experience.”

“It was a tough decision to pick the winners, so all awards were based on how much effort was put in as well as overall design and effect. A big congratulations to each winner and well done to all on their festive windows”

Three people outside Age Uk holding a certificate

A group of people outside R.I Home Knutsford

A group of people outside Tatton Perk Knutsford

27Nov2024

Knutsford Town Council Seeks Volunteers for Public Rights of Way Survey

Knutsford Town Council is asking for volunteers to help survey the town’s public rights of way.

Residents who enjoy walking around the area are invited to participate in the survey which will help identify any improvements needed to the town’s rights of way network of footpaths.

Volunteers will be asked to walk specific footpaths, taking photographs and complete a short condition survey. This information will help establish the conditions, general cleanliness, and accessibility of the paths, enabling the Town Council to devise a plan for future improvements in partnership with Cheshire East Council and landowners.

“Knutsford is fortunate to have several public rights of way across the town and out into the wider countryside providing attractive routes for exercise and active travel. This survey will help record their current condition and help us identify any improvements needed to the network” said Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green.

those interested in participating in this initiative are invited to contact Jeanette Hine at jeanette.hine@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or contact the council offices on 01565 653929.

6Nov2024

Discover Knutsford this Christmas

Discover Knutsford this festive season for shopping, entertainment, and celebration!

The weekend of 30^th November and 1^st December welcomes the Christmas cheer with Knutsford’s Christmas Markets, two days of the finest artisan market stalls. Join us for great food, drinks, and Christmas spirit. 12-7pm Saturdays 30^th November and 11-4pm Sunday 1^stDecember.

Also, on Saturday 30^th November the stage will be set for a full day of live entertainment featuring choirs from the local primary schools, dancing performances and local singers. The stage will be presented by Silk FM who, with the help of the Mayor of Knutsford and special guests, will switch on our Christmas Lights in Canute Place at 6pm. Headlining the event will be local band The Breakfast Club.

Catch a glimpse of Santa on his sleigh at 5.30pm as he makes his was along King Street, up Minshull Street to Canute Place where he will join the Mayor on stage. The Santa parade will feature music from City of Chester Brass Band and Anna and Elsa!

Children’s Adventure Farm Trust will be raising money for their charity (CAFT) in this year’s grotto which can be found on Silk Mill Street, outside the Market Hall. The grotto will be open Saturday 30^th November 12-4pm and Sunday 1^st December 11-4pm. No booking necessary.

We are grateful to our brilliant sponsors this year without whom the festive weekend would not be possible. Special thanks to Savills for sponsoring the Christmas Lights switch on, Bruntwood for sponsoring the Christmas Lights, Speedy Freight who sponsor our tree and Cygnet Health for their sponsorship of the Christmas Market.

This year’s Crib Service will take place on Saturday 7^th December at 4pm. Join the Mayor’s Community Crib Service where the Mayor’s chaplain will bless the town crib and Christmas carols will be sung supported by the City of Chester Brass Band. The service begins at approximately 4pm.

Remember to pick up your Discover Knutsford Christmas Gift Guide from one of our local businesses or visit the Discover Knutsford team at the Christmas markets to grab up your copy!

For further information please visit www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or www.discoverknutsford.com or send an email to enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Notes

Photo credits – Tessa Carrol

Enquiries – alex.molloy@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

11Oct2024

Cottons Hotel & Spa now accepts the Knutsford voucher

Cottons Hotel & Spa now accepts the Knutsford voucher

Knutsford’s own high street voucher can now be redeemed at Cotton’s Hotel & Spa along with over forty other Knutsford based businesses.

The Knutsford Voucher was launched in 2020 with the aim to offer a gift voucher exclusively for Knutsford shops that goes directly to local businesses, supporting the town’s economy.

Following a recent refresh of the voucher design, Cottons Hotel & Spa are the latest business to sign up to accept the voucher as a payment method.

Barbara Simms from Cottons Hotel & Spa said: “We are delighted to be a part of the Knutsford voucher scheme. It’s a great way to support local businesses throughout the year, if you have a voucher to spend come down and see us!”

Sandra Curties, Knutsford Town Council’s Town Centre Manager said, “The scheme is a cost-effective way to direct spend to our town’s independent shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants.”

“The vouchers come in denominations of £5, £10 or £20 and come presented in a beautiful gift card making them the perfect gift!” Sandra added.

A full list of business accepting the voucher can be found on the Town Council’s website alongside how to purchase vouchers. A broad selection of businesses accepts the vouchers including Oil Art Advisory, Flock of Arts, Detaljer, Arthur Lee, Hal Whittaker and Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe. Soon you will also be able to purchase them on the council’s tourism focused sister-site – www.discoverknutsford.com

Businesses in Knutsford interested in joining the voucher scheme are encouraged to contact Sandra Curties on 01565 653929. It is important to note only Knutsford based shops, excluding surrounding villages are eligible to join the voucher scheme.

1Oct2024

Knutsford at Home

Knutsford was a mini ‘Ideal Home Exhibition’ on September 21st, with its home and interior design shops hosting its third Knutsford at Home Event. Knutsford at Home was sponsored by Slater and Gordon.

The event was a collaboration between the home and interior shops and businesses in the town centre and coordinated by Knutsford Town Council under their Discover Knutsford brand. It offered shoppers a ‘menu of inspiration’ including talks from artists such as Diane Marsland in Holly Johnson Antiques, an alcohol Ink Art workshop In Havwoods and a gardening talk by RHS Associate of Honour Sam Youd. There were also two ‘Ask the Architect sessions’ – Hive Architects in Arthur Lee and Bianca Morgan in Susie Watson Designs. The full list of shops taking part was, Arthur Lee Interiors, Detaljer, Havwoods, Holly Johnson Antiques, Kendal Quality Carpets, NaturalMat, Oil Art Advisory, Oka, RI Home, Sofas and Stuff, Susie Watson Designs and Terzetto Stone.

Helen Dufton co-owner of Arthur Lee said, “’This was our third Knutsford at Home event, and it was lovely to see our shop buzzing with customers both new and old. We opened our side terrace too so customers could enjoy the September sun. A huge thanks to everyone who popped into see us and our fellow Knutsford businesses.”

Andrea Young of Havwoods, said: ‘12 of our lovely clients attended our In Art workshop hosted by our very talented friend and amazing artist Louise Williamson aka Big Canvas Art. I have to say we were blown away by the unique art work that was created by a group of complete novices. Images of ocean landscapes, flower gardens, abstract and my very own atomic explosion. We also welcomed new customers to the showroom throughout the day. A big thank you to everyone who attended and also to Lyndsey Dyson for helping me host such a successful event.’’

Sandra Curties, Knutsford Town Council’s Town Centre Manager, said, “These events are all about promoting Knutsford as a destination shopping venue and offering a bespoke shopping experience that cannot be replicated online. A huge thanks to those who gave up their time to deliver the workshops. We loved the way our shops worked together and seeing visitors mapping out their day using the flyers was fabulous. We look forward to a better and bigger event next year.”

A group of people sat on sofas inside Oka

Four ladies gathered around a table inside Holly Johnson Antiques

30Aug2024

Heritage Open Days comes to Knutsford 6-8th September

A bustling programme of heritage activity is available in Knutsford next weekend as part of the national Heritage Open Days event.

Knutsford Town Council has coordinated a programme of activity as part of the heritage festival which aims to celebrate the rich heritage across the UK. The council’s aim is to promote Knutsford as a place to visit for the first weekend of Heritage Open Days and to foster a better appreciation of the rich heritage we have on our doorstep. Materials to support the event have been funded by the UK Government as part of the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Heritage Open Days is always a free programme of events and Knutsford’s main events take place over the weekend of 6^th– 8^th September. While all events are free, some do require booking so please visit www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/heritageopendays for full details and booking information.

Printed guides are also available from the Heritage Centre, Library, Council Offices and businesses around town.

Taking place on Friday 6^th September is a tour of Booths Hall, Booths Mere and the ruins of St Helena’s Church, an exhibition on Knutsford’s links with Mrs Gaskell and the arrival of the railway and two screenings of the Knutsford: Tales of War film at the Curzon. Friday also sees the launch of a new book by local historian Jenny Collis with a book talk and signing for Knutsford, our streets through time. You can also take a guide tour of St Cross Church, visit the Tabley House collection and take part in a ghost walk!

Saturday 7^th starts with a fully booked tour of the Courthouse and later that afternoon there is a talk at Egerton Place on the Egerton Connection from Knutsford to Kenya.

On Sunday 8^th you could take part in a guided tours of the town’s historic coaching inns, take part in the ghost walk you missed on Friday evening or visit the Brook St Chapel for a special history themed service.

23Aug2024

Perfect Parks Exhibition

A mini display of Knutsford’s primary school pupils’ artwork depicting their ‘perfect park’ is currently being exhibited at Knutsford Market Hall on Silk Mill Street.

The exhibition was part of Knutsford Town Council’s Green Spaces research which took place before the school summer holidays. The perfect park competition asked children to draw their perfect park whilst adults completed a survey giving their opinions on the town’s current green spaces. The results of this research will help to inform, guide and secure investment in public open space across the town.

Town Clerk Adam Keppel Green said “The pictures children drew were delightful and deserve to be seen by everyone. We had everything from paddling pools and climbing walls to a giraffe DJ!”

The display will be at the Market Hall until end of September.

22Aug2024

Sigiriya joins Taste Knutsford

One of Knutsford’s newest restaurants, Sigiriya, has joined Taste Knutsford, a popular monthly food tour that takes place in Cheshire’s leading foodie market town.

Don Buddhika owner of Sigiriya said, “We are excited to join the Taste Knutsford team and meet the tour guests. We will be offering a lunch option with a range of our ‘small plates’ giving customers a true and authentic taste of Sri Lanka.”

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said, “Sigiriya opened in late 2023 and has become a popular fixture on Knutsford’s hospitality scene. Our tour only champions our independent and small regional eateries and Sigiriya offers something a little bit different. We are sure this will be a popular stop!

Sandra, continued, “We love arranging these tours and our venues always roll out the red carpet to our guests. The feedback we receive regarding the tours is always positive with guests leaving very full! Our tour guides are knowledgeable about each venue and the town, encouraging quests to stay, linger and spend in Knutsford.”

Taste Knutsford was established in 2018 and promotes and supports a range of independent venues in the town centre including: April’s Kitchen, Cranford Café & Sandwich Bar, Dexter and Jones, Evuna, Morgan Edwards, Hot Cocoa, King Street Kitchen, Real Fruit Creamery, Café on the Corner, The Market Hall Butcher, The Market Café, The Tea Room, Detaljer and Tatton Perk.

Any small regional or independent hospitality venue can take part in the tour and if you wish to take part in a tour you can book via www.tasteknutsford.co.uk Private tours for 8 or more can also be arranged.

Sigiriya is located on 15 Tatton Street Knutsford WA16 6AB and bookings can be made here https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/sigiriyagrill

21Aug2024

£20 Knutsford Voucher Launched

Knutsford’s own high street voucher has had a makeover, with a new £20 voucher launched too.

The Knutsford Voucher was launched in 2020 with a simple idea: don’t buy an Amazon or Love2Shop voucher, instead buy a gift voucher that gets spent in Knutsford and goes direct to local shop owners and into the town’s economy.

Sandra Curties, Knutsford Town Council’s Town Centre Manager said, “The scheme is a cost-effective way to direct spend to our town’s independent shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants. We have redesigned the £10 voucher and added a £20 option. Both of these reflect our new Discover Knutsford branding, and the £5 voucher will soon follow suit.”

“We have also added a beautiful gift card, and these will be posted out with the vouchers making a perfect gift!” Sandra added.

A full list of business accepting the voucher can be found on the town council’s website alongside how to purchase vouchers. A broad selection of businesses accepts the vouchers including Flock of Arts, Detaljer, Arthur Lee, Hal Whittaker, and Knutsford Olde Sweet Shop. In the autumn you will also be able to purchase them on the council’s tourism focused sister-site – www.discoverknutsford.com

Omar Ashlan owner of Amador on King Street, who has recently signed up to the scheme, said “I am delighted to accept the Knutsford voucher. The scheme is a great way to support local businesses and keep spend local. As an additional incentive Amador will be offering 15% off any purchase paid or part paid by a Knutsford voucher. So, if you have some to spend pop down and visit us on King Street!”

Vouchers can also now be spent at Cheshire Granite worktops. Co-owner Donna O’Keefe co-owner said, “Not only are we going to accept the vouchers, but we are going to offer them as a thank you gift to customers. We are based on Stanley Road and love supporting our fellow Knutsford businesses”

The scheme is administered by the Town Council with businesses receiving 100% of the face value of vouchers redeemed in their shops.

King Street’s Lanigan and Hulme has also signed up to accept the voucher, Phil Lanigan said, “The Knutsford voucher is the perfect gift anytime of the year! We are excited to be part of the scheme. Our shop is full of womenswear, childrenswear and menswear that is solely made in the UK and Ireland so if you have a voucher come down and visit us on 23 King Street.”

Laura Christie co-owner of foodie haven Linden Stores on Minshull Street said, ‘We will be celebrating our first year in Knutsford this autumn and we love being part of this vibrant market town. We are more than happy to be part of this scheme so if you are looking for a unique present for someone, buy some Knutsford vouchers!’

If any Knutsford based business is interested in the scheme, they should contact Sandra Curties on 01565 653929. Please note only Knutsford based shops (not surrounding villages) can take the vouchers.

17Aug2024

Fun family day out at Family Fest

The sun was shining on Sunday 11^th August for the second 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 gently with a yoga session from Sataya Sanctuary or enjoy a morning story time at Waterstones. Stable Minds also opened their doors for the day allowing families to do some mindfulness activities and view their art therapy rooms and sensory area.

For the creatives there were music taster sessions from Popcat, art sessions hosted by Kim Smart Art and even pizza making at Gusto. Party Time punctuated the end of the day at Charlton Lodge with a party session hosted by Bunny Business and Disney character Stitch.

The Knutsford Fire Service was in attendance outside the Lost and Found showing children around the fire engine and Knutsford Police were positioned at the top of Minshull Street allowing families to view the police car. Minshull Street and the area outside The Lost and Found were both bustling with diners as restaurants hosted alfresco eating.

Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe hosted a fancy dress competition presenting a prize from Hal Whittaker for the overall winner and a little bag of sweets for each entrant. The competition was judged by former mayor, Cllr Peter Coan.

The sponsor of the event, Evuna, put on a special Family Fest menu especially for the kids. They also had a visit from Disney character Stitch over lunch time, much to the delight of the children.

Sandra Curties, Town Centra Manager at Knutsford Town Council said; We were delighted with the response to our second family Fest. The sun shone and children of all ages seemed to have a wonderful time. Thanks to everyone who collaborated on this event, we can’t wait for Family Fest 2025!

Natalie Abrams from Popcats Music Time said ’I loved being involved in Family Fest this year. Getting to know new families and exploring music and movement together. What a fun day we all had! As a family we also enjoyed the activities that were on too’

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