Knutsford set for ‘Heritage Open Days’ 2024

Knutsford will once again be on the Heritage Open Days map as the Town Council is working to coordinate a programme of activity for the country’s largest festival of culture and heritage.

Heritage Open Days takes place every September with the aim of providing free events that bring history to life and provide access to interesting historical places. The 2024 festival runs from 6th to 15th September.

The council is setting up a working group of interested parties to develop activity for the festival and is keen to hear from anyone who would like to take part.

Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green said “Knutsford has so much heritage to celebrate, from incredible buildings to links with multiple notable people from history and Heritage Open Days is a great opportunity to showcase what we have.”

The council is also keen to hear from owners of historic properties who would be willing to open them up to the public as part of the festival to small tour groups, offering a rare chance to see part of the town’s history that isn’t routinely on show.

Anyone who is interested in delivering an event as part of Heritage Open Days or able to provide access to a historic site, can contact Sara Frith on sara.frith@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Flash Fashion 2024

Flash Fashion Knutsford is set to return this year on the 18th May, providing the perfect opportunity for shoppers to get inspired and refresh their wardrobes for summer.

The day-long event started in 2019 as a collaboration between Knutsford Town Council and local boutiques to highlight the wonderful collection of independent fashion retailers in Knutsford.

The day will kick off at 11am in Lost and Found with a fashion show featuring the latest looks from local boutiques, compered by Katy Rickitt of Dexter and Jones. Attendees then peruse the shops and enjoy a variety of complimentary services in store including on-hand stylists, beauty treatments, a glass of fizz and goody bags.

Participating stores include

  • Kanoa Living
  • Cocaranti
  • Redress at Dexter and Jones
  • Blossom Boutique
  • Paris Ladies Boutique
  • Bare Necessities
  • Willow Boutiques
  • Smook Styling
  • Chalk 33
  • Milania Boutique
  • Roberta Beauty Redefined
  • Zapatos
  • Milania Boutique
  • Second Hand Styling
  • Clare and Illingworth
  • L ’Atelier London
  • Smook Styling at Gusto
  • Lanigan and Hulme

Sean Spooner, General Manager, of The Lost and Found, said, “We are delighted to host the catwalk show again. We love being able to support our wonderful independent fashion boutiques. It is great fun and there is such a lovely buzz during the show. We also offer 20% of our brunch menu for all the fashionistas on the day too!”

Davina Armitage from Cocaranti said “We are so excited to be involved in Flash Fashion Knutsford again this year. The shop always has a lovely vibe with customers enjoying an extra special shopping experience from all the fashion indies in town. And we can’t wait to show everyone our Spring Summer collections” .

New for this year is a talk by Laura Davies of Smook Styling which will focus on 5 steps to Unforgettable Style which is kindly hosted by Gusto Restaurants.

Maps will be available from shops and eateries around Knutsford shortly to allow shoppers to plan their day. There will also be free parking for the day at Silk Mill Street, King Street and Princess Street car parks from 10am.

A woman, smiling, holds a tenner trail poster.

Tenner Trail returns for Easter holidays

Knutsford’s Tenner Trail returns to the town centre this spring with fifteen shops offering some incredible deals over the Easter holidays.

Between 1st April and 14th April, participating shops are offering a special deal for just £10 – the offers range from dinner time solutions with The Market Hall Butcher, meal deals from local cafes and restaurants and lots of gift ideas and treats.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said “Our Tenner Trail showcases a wide variety of products and services from Knutsford high street. There are some great deals and a wonderful incentive for customers to explore new establishments and support local businesses.”

The participating businesses are: Kanoa Living, Amador, Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe, Roberta Beauty Redefined, Clarity Contemporary Jewellery, Lost & Found, Morgan Edwards, Cranford Café, The Market Hall Butcher, The Market Café, Slipped Discs, Nyx Cat Crystals, It’s the little things, Knutsford Mobile and Heathfields Fruit & Veg

For more details on the deals, shoppers should look out for posters in participating shops and follow Knutsford Town Council’s social media accounts to find out more.

New greengrocers at Knutsford Market standing by the fruit and veg

Knutsford Market Hall welcomes a new greengrocer

Peter and Gaynor Riley of Heathfield Nursery have opened a greengrocer stall in Knutsford Market Hall offering fresh vegetables and fruit alongside bedding plants and seasonal cut flowers.

Gaynor Riley said,  “We are delighted to be joining the Knutsford Market Hall family. 2024 marks both the market’s 60th anniversary and the exciting redevelopment plans. Many people will already know us from our Heathfield Nursery in Plumley. We can’t wait to be in the heart of the town offering both homegrown and locally sourced fruit and vegetables alongside our range of bedding plants and cut flowers. We look forward to welcoming both new and old customers”.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said, “We are delighted to have Peter and Gaynor on board.  A greengrocer is an essential part of our market hall offering and we know our customers will give them both a warm welcome. They will be offering a wide range of fruit and vegetables with much of it homegrown which is fantastic.  A true shop local experience!”

Knutsford Market Hall is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm.   Permanent traders are as follows –The Market Butcher,  The Market Café, The Market Hall Barber, Slipped Discs 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.

Two greengrocers stood by a bedding plant stall
The Angel Hotel and a view down King Street

Studies to be undertaken to inform Town Centre Masterplan

The feasibility of a range of changes to Knutsford Town Centre will be explored as part of the Town Council’s work to develop a masterplan for Knutsford Town Centre.

Building on the work of the From Top to Bottom Street report, which was considered in a public consulted in 2020, the Town Council has appointed a team of consultants to develop the proposals further. The work includes:

  1. Modelling the impact of changes to town centre traffic flow from restricting through traffic and creating public squares
  2. Exploring the cost of making these changes and developing a better understanding of the impact works would have on the town
  3. Exploring the cost and impact of upgrading Moorside to an adoptable highway standard
  4. Exploring the cost and traffic impact of creating an new access to Princess Street from King Edward Road
  5. Exploring the feasibility of creating an attractive multi-storey car park on Tatton Street car park
  6. Exploring the costs of creating public squares in Canute Place and Princess Street 
  7. Developing different options for improving the pedestrian experience in the town centre whilst retaining vehicular access

Each of these areas are ideas put forward in the From Top to Bottom Street plan and the output of this work will enable the Town Council to determine if they have merit and could form the basis of a masterplan.

The output of the 2020 consultation had been to call on Cheshire East Council to undertake these feasibility studies directly, but to date they have been unable to allocate the resource needed to take them forward.

“We know that creating a plan for improving the town centre is one of our residents’ top priorities and its therefore one of our top priorities too. This work will take us a step forward and better understand the impact of a range of potential changes” said Cllr Christopher Gray, Chairman of the Town Council’s Town Centre Committee.

This project has received £80,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The output of this work will lead to a public consultation later in 2024 and be used by the council’s Town Centre Masterplan working group to develop the masterplan. 

The Town Council is also looking for those interested in helping develop the wider Town Centre Masterplan to join its working group, anyone interested can email townclerk@kntusfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.

An open grass field with trees in the background

Knutsford Wellness Week 2024

This January, Knutsford will experience its first Wellness Week. Organised by Knutsford Town Council, this weeklong event will showcase a range of talks, presentations and taster sessions focussing on physical and mental health. The pop ups, from a broad variety of Knutsford based health and wellbeing businesses, will take place across different venues in Knutsford town centre starting on Saturday 20th January and running until Saturday 27th January.

The activities will start off at Lost and Found with informative pop-ups from Helen Jones Nutritional Therapist, Jem Gunn Body Image Therapy, Sian Winslade Coaching, Reflexology Manchester and Just Drop in. As sponsors of the event, Slater & Gordon Knutsford Family Law will also be there to talk about the services they offer.

Georgina Chase who runs the Slater & Gordon Knutsford Family Law office at 10 Church View said “Slater & Gordon are proud to be sponsoring the Knutsford health and wellness week, raising awareness of how important wellbeing is to people in the community”.

Throughout the week there will be opportunities to book onto sessions such as fitness, yoga, podiatry, life coaching, hearing checks and counselling to allow Knutsford residents to try out new services related to their wellbeing. Many of the taster sessions will be complimentary or discounted.

Roberta Dyer from Roberta Beauty Redefined said “January is the perfect time to evaluate your health and wellbeing.”

“We are excited to be part of the wellness week showcasing taster treatments that help health and skin concerns.”

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager at Knutsford Town Council said “We are delighted to facilitate this week long event to shine a light on the health and wellbeing services available in Knutsford.”

“As many of the taster sessions are complimentary or discounted, this collaboration will allow residents the opportunity to easily try new techniques or support services to improve their wellbeing.”

“Booking is essential for some events; this can be done directly with the host. A full programme, including all booking details, will be available to pick up from town centre businesses from early January.”

Businesses involved include:

  • Helen Jones Nutritional Therapist
  • Jem Gunn Body Image Therapy
  • Sian Winslade Coaching
  • Reflexology Manchester
  • Just Drop In
  • Yogi with Sho
  • Nxtep Gym
  • Saks Hairdressing
  • Knutsford Iyengar Yoga Centre
  • NaturalMat
  • Roberta Beauty Redefined
  • Outside the Box Therapies
  • Nancy Camp
  • Carrot Banana Peach
  • The Wellness Web
  • Carmichael Clinic
  • Healthwatch
  • The Mum Club Knutsford
  • Lotus Blossom Gift Co
  • Knutsford Hearing Centre
  • Stable Minds
The crib near Lost and Found at Christmas

Community invited to Crib Service

The Mayor of Knutsford, Cllr Peter Coan is inviting Knutsford families to join him outside the Lost and Found on Saturday,9th December, for the annual community crib service. The service, which is led by Mayor’s Chaplain Revd Paul Deakin, starts at 4pm and includes a festive Christmas message from the mayor who has chosen some of his favourite carols for the event. The carols will be led by the Chester Brass Band and St Vincents Primary School Choir.

Peter said: “I’m looking forward to attending the Community Crib Service, this is event is for all: young and old, and I hope you can join me as we get into the festive spirit.”

Complimentary mulled wine and mince pies will be served by the Knutsford Catenians.

A group of people outside

Festive Sunday arrives in Knutsford this Christmas!

Shoppers are urged to put December 10th in their diaries as Knutsford shops and businesses host their first Festive Sunday for the Christmas period.

The day is jam packed with seasonal activities to suit every age group including:-

  • Chester Brass Band
  • Elf on the Shelf
  • Knutsford Little Theatre’s Red Riding Pantomime cast
  • Christmas Carols from Knutsford Beats
  • Christmas Bake Off with The Tea Room
  • Knutsford Royal May Day Grotto at Knutsford Methodist Church

These attractions sit alongside the wonderful gifts available from Knutsford’s unique shops. Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager for Knutsford Town Council said, “Knutsford is well known for its Christmas Markets, but this year we wanted to showcase our existing shops too.  Festive Sunday is all about discovering what is, for Knutsfordians, on their doorstep and for those further away it is about having an independent not an Amazon Christmas! ”.

Most shops are staying open on the day with many offering mulled wine, mince pies and other seasonal treats. Hattie Cufflin from Hot Cocoa, said, “We are looking forward to Knutsford’s first Festive Sunday and we’ve lots of chocolatey treats planned. Hot mince pies, ice cream, homemade sweet and savoury treats are on offer plus if you spend £30 you get a 10% discount on the day. Please support Knutsford’s indie shops this Christmas”.

Sandra Curties, continued, “The shops have worked extremely hard and have put together a great day with mulled wine, wine tasting, discounts, festive treats, plus live music on the menu. There will also be a raffle when you purchase in selected shops to win prizes from Lanigan and Hulme and a Christmas Eve box courtesy of Knutsford Stationery and Art Shop and Scene in Knutsford, plus some other great prizes. It has been a difficult trading year for some our much-loved independents so let’s give them our support this festive season”.

The day has been made possible by the kind sponsorship of Knutsford Admin.  Helen Rogers, Director said, “The team at Knutsford Admin Limited have chosen to sponsor the festive shopping event as they are huge fans of the many shops and eateries in town. Not all the team live in Knutsford, but they all feel part of the community and enjoy knowing many of the retailers and hospitality venues owners and teams by name”.

Rebecca Mallon, Director of Knutsford Admin added “We really enjoy our town centre location, particularly in the run up to Christmas when the streets & shop fronts look so pretty and there’s a real festive feel”.

For Festive Sunday, King Street will be closed from 9am to 6pm from the junction with Church Walk to the junction of Dury Lane.  Church Hill will remain open and there will be traffic measures in place to allow cars to access King Street car park.  The parking bays on King Street from Tatton Street to Drury Lane will be suspended to enable two-way traffic enabling access to properties of Drury Lane throughout the event.  Access to King Street carpark will be via Church Hill and Church Walk. 

Those interested in attending Festive Sunday should keep an eye on Knutsford Town Council’s social media pages, and via leaflets and posters coming to the town centre soon.

band walking in a parade

Remembrance Sunday

Knutsford Town Council and the Knutsford Branch of the Royal British Legion invite the community to join the services of remembrance on Sunday 12th November.

The programme for the day is as follows:

0845       Parade assembles at King St Car Park, WA16 6DX

0900       Parade from King St Car Park to St John’s Church

0930     Remembrance Service at St John’s Church

1030       Procession to Centennial War Memorial

1045     Remembrance service and wreath laying at Centennial War Memorial, WA16 0PG

1100     Two minute silence

1145       Remembrance service and wreath laying at the Crosstown War Memorial, Junction of Mobberley Road and Thorneyholme Drive, WA16 8WS

1300     Tatton Park Parachute Regiment Memorial

1300       Refreshments at Council Offices, WA16 6TA

This year the parade departs from King Street car park and parades to St John’s Church. The parade will not reassemble and instead the congregation will be led from the church to the Centennial War Memorial for the main service.

The whole community is welcome to join any or all parts of the day. The principal wreath laying will take place at the Centennial War Memorial and organisations wishing to lay a wreath are requested to advise Gemma Jackson, Civic Events Officer, in advance by emailing gemma.jackson@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.

Cllrs Johnson, Hartley, Dalzell, McCulloch, Robertson and Banks holding signs opposing the parking changes in front of a row of parked cars

Town Council Opposes Parking Proposals

Knutsford Town Council is calling on Cheshire East Council to abandon its proposals to reduce on-street parking times and raise parking charges in Knutsford which it considers is a threat to the high street.

Under the Cheshire East Council proposals, existing 1-hour bays would be cut to just 30 minutes whilst the 2-hour bays by the Moor would reduce to 1-hour. The 2-hour bays by Tatton Park would also be cut to only 30 minutes.

The Town Council is refuting Cheshire East Council claims that the changes will reduce the number of cars parked on streets and make the town centre safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and considers it will instead result in more turnover in parking bays creating more hazards for pedestrian and cyclists safety whilst having no effect on the number of cars within the town centre.

Knutsford councillors have also expressed concern that the reduced times will deter town centre users completing their “whilst I’m here” tasks to the detriment of the local economy.

Cllr Christopher Gray, Chairman of the Town Council’s Town Centre Committee said: “These restrictions will undoubtedly make shopping for many residents a chore and a worry as time becomes of the essence”

The Town Council’s consultation response, published below, argues that the proposals “will result in fewer visits to local businesses at a time when independent retail and small town centres are struggling the most.”

The Town Council is also concerned the proposals will impact the everyday wellbeing of the community. “Shopping and meeting friends and neighbours – often by accident – contribute greatly to our wellbeing and these proposals threaten this.” Cllr Gray added.

Objection has also been raised to the proposals to increase parking charges at a time when businesses and families are struggling financially. The Town Council highlights that the planned changes will only increase Cheshire East Council’s revenue by a measly £1,381 which does not justify the potential harm to the town centre.

The Town Council has also expressed its disappointment at Cheshire East Council’s failure to make provision for Coach Parking after many years of the Town Council calling for action. 

The full consultation response can be read here: CEC Parking Review Consultation Response.

The consultation closes on Wednesday 1st November. You can make a representation by emailing: carparksreview2023@cheshireeast.gov.uk.