A group of people standing by a sign

New Town Maps installed to showcase Knutsford

Visitors to Knutsford can navigate the town with ease, thanks to the installation of new town maps reflecting the Discover Knutsford place branding. This is the latest initiative funded by UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund with the aim of promoting Knutsford to visitors.

Organised by Knutsford Town Council, the maps have been strategically placed at key locations in the town centre including the train station, bus station, Canute Place, Tatton Street car park, King Street car park, and Princess Street (outside The Lost & Found). An additional map has also been installed under the railway bridge on King Street, ensuring visitors arriving from all directions can easily find their way.

Each map features a beautifully hand-drawn illustration of Knutsford, surrounded by advertisements from local businesses. Designed by Bella Design & Marketing the maps showcase the towns rich offering of independent shops, heritage sites, restaurants, cafes, and bars and encourage visitors to make the most of their time in Knutsford.

To further enhance the visitor experience, each map includes a dispenser with free paper maps, allowing visitors to take a guide with them as they explore. These paper maps also feature information on upcoming events and attractions, keeping both tourists and residents informed about the latest happenings in the historic town.

Sandra Curties the Town Centre Manager at Knutsford Town Council said; ‘We are excited to have refreshed our town maps to reflect the new Discover Knutsford Branding. These maps serve as key touchpoints throughout the town, providing visitors with everything  they need to fully experience Knutsford’

For further information on Knutsford’s events and attractions visit www.discoverknutsford.com or follow their socials @discoverknutsford on Facebook and Instagram.

A group of people sat down listening to a woman giving a talk

Knutsford delivers an action-packed Health & Wellness Week

Knutsford’s second Health & Wellness Week was a jam-packed week showcasing a range of wellbeing services in the town centre. Organised by Knutsford Town Council, the event programme kicked off on Saturday 18th January with Re- Fresh, a fair showcasing interest and community groups. The week continued with an array of activities and sessions such as running, yoga, Pilates podiatry, life coaching, hearing and eye checks, and counselling.

Refresh was held at St John’s Church and Knutsford Methodist Church and hosted a variety of community and interest groups from 1pm to 3pm on 18th January. Both churches had a steady flow of visitors exploring the different community and volunteer groups on offer. The range was huge and included Knutsford Bake Club, Crosstown Community Orchard, Run Knutsford, and Hartford French Circle exhibiting alongside Satya Sanctuary and Knutsford Hearing Centre.

Roberta Dyer owner of Roberta Dyer Beauty Re-defined said, “”This was my first time exhibiting at Re – Fresh and it was a great opportunity to connect with the community away from the salon. Our reflexology, facials and laser hair removal consultations proved popular. I particularly enjoyed the menopause talk which I co-hosted with Helen Jones Nutrition and Dr Lydia Robertson a GP and menopause specialist”.

The week continued with a variety of wellness activities, from invigorating fitness classes and calming yoga sessions to informative talks on menopause and nutrition. Knutsford Hearing Centre offered free Hearing Health appointments, and Find Your Backbone offered free 30 minutes introduction lessons to The Alexander Technique (for back and neck pain) throughout the week.

The event was sponsored by cardiovascular specialist, Tomorrow’s Wellness which opened in June 2024 on Regent Street. During the week they offered discounts and free blood pressure check-ups.

David Willis, CEO of Tomorrow Wellness said “Health & Wellness Week has not only been a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors of Knutsford to focus on their well-being, but also a brilliant showcase of the array of health and wellness services available here in town.”

David continued “At Tomorrow Wellness we were proud to sponsor this event and had a great week offering free blood pressure checks to attendees and raising awareness of Heart & Cardiovascular Preventative Health and Wellness”

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager at Knutsford Town Council said; “This was our second Health & Wellness Week organised in Knutsford and it was wonderful to see how it’s grown. Knutsford town centre has a varied health & wellness offering and this weeklong event posed as an excellent reminder of what services are on offer.

Sandra continued “If you were unable to attend and would like to learn more about a specific service please get in touch with the relevant business.”

Businesses and organisations involved include:

  • Helen Jones Nutritional Therapist
  • Sian Winslade Coaching
  • Guided Outdoor Adventures
  • Just Drop In
  • Satya Sanctuary
  • NC Health and Wellness
  • Soul Reformer
  • Elite Health
  • Wellness Webb
  • Find your Backbone
  • Nxtep Gym
  • Run Knutsford
  • Soul Reformer
  • Run Talk Walk Knutsford
  • Roberta Beauty Redefined
  • Healthwatch
  • Knutsford Hearing Centre
  • Stable Minds
  • Tomorrow Wellness
  • Parkletics
  • Clare & Illingworth
  • Cheshire Physical Therapy
The mayor and the winner of the Christmas Competition outside Knutsford Sweet shop

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 2nd Place and 3rd 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

A man standing by a public footpath sign

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.

Knutsford Christmas Market

Discover Knutsford this Christmas

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

The weekend of 30th November and 1st 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 30th November and 11-4pm Sunday 1stDecember.

Also, on Saturday 30th 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 30th November 12-4pm and Sunday 1st 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 7th 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

A lady holding a Taste Knutsford Voucher

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.

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

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 6th– 8th 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 6th 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 7th 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 8th 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.

Perfect Park Pictures

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.

Sigiriya Knutsford

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