Video Archives

‘Where Next’ for 60 King Street?

March 28, 2022
, Town Council News

‘Where Next’ for 60 King Street is the question Knutsford Town Council is asking the local community as part of a consultation to inform how the iconic Grade II* listed building will be used in the future.

The building, also known as Kings Coffee House, was home to the Belle Epoque until 2019 and previous attempts to find a new tenant were unsuccessful. In 2021 the council changed approach and appointed heritage consultants to lead a major grant bid to secure funds to regenerate and reimagine the building.

Speaking in a video released to promote the consultation, Town Mayor Cllr Stewart Gardiner said “Our vision is for a hybrid community and commercial space that will serve the whole of Knutsford but ensure the building remains financially viable”

The council has developed a range of ideas as to how the building could be used in the future to both generate income to offset maintenance costs and deliver a direct community benefit as had originally been intended when the Kings Coffee House was opened by its creator Richard Harding Watt.

“To help us shape our plans we are holding an open consultation, because we want to know your views on how this space should be used in the future” Cllr Gardiner added.

The survey aims to ensure that the building responds to the needs of the Knutsford community by helping identify gaps in service and space provision within the town.

Aware that many residents will not be aware of the extent of the property, the council is opening the doors of the building and offering a series of guided tours on Saturday 23rd April to enable the community to see the whole building and grounds. Numbers on the tours are limited and pre-booking is required. Each tour will end with a group discussion on what they have seen and their initial thoughts on how the building could be best used.

The survey and booking form for the guided tours can be found at: www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/60KS. Paper versions of the survey can be collected from Knutsford Library, Knutsford Market Hall and the Council Offices. Residents not on the internet can book a space on a tour by calling 01565 653 929.

To support the consultation, and for those unable to attend a tour, the council has released a short promotional video which features interior and exterior views of the building; the video can be viewed on the council website.

2020 Town Awards Winners

November 6, 2020
Town Council News

The winners of the 2020 Knutsford Town Awards have been announced in a special video created by Knutsford Town Council.

The Town Awards aim to celebrate outstanding individuals and organisations that help to make Knutsford such a special community. The awards have been running since 2013, organised by Knutsford Town Council and sponsored by the Forum of Private Business.

An awards ceremony is usually organised where the winners can receive their prize in person, presented to them by the Mayor of Knutsford and Ian Cass, founder and director of the Forum of Private Business. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible to hold an award ceremony with all of the winners and so organisers at the Town Council decided to get creative.

A special video has been created, put together by Rachel Bishop Consulting, where the Mayor of Knutsford presented the seven awards, plus a special award presented by the Knutsford and District Youth Council, to the deserving winners.

Ian Cass, director of the Forum, said: “The Forum of Private business has been part of the Knutsford community for over 40 years, based in our offices in the Ruskin chambers since 1977. We are very proud to be the sponsors and supporters of the Knutsford Town Awards again and look forward to supporting them for many more years.

We have a brilliant community here in Knutsford, one that supports each other, promotes the town and keeps coming up with new and innovative ideas, this is driven by people and those people have stepped up again, particularly during the current Covid-19 pandemic, we have a community who deserve to be recognised and celebrated for another year of great achievements, something the Forum are delighted to be part of!”

Three Civic Awards were awarded; to Mark Radcliffe for his work with Knutsford Music Festival curating the popular folk nights, Ian Robertson for his work with Hope Central and Garry Davies for his work with the Knutsford Scouts.

The Youth Award was presented to Lucas Cronan and Lillie Bryers who spend their Sunday mornings litter picking on the Moor whilst their mums attend bootcamp classes.

The Community Award was presented to We Are Knutsford, a community group formed in response to the first national Covid-19 lockdown to provide support to those who are self-isolating or otherwise in need, for their work in supporting the Knutsford community throughout the pandemic.

An Extra Mile Award, which was first launched in 2019, was presented to Chris Pountain for his time spent as a PCSO in Knutsford until summer 2020. Chris supported many town events and initiatives and worked with the Beat team to keep Knutsford residents safe.

The 2020 Business Award was presented to the traders of Knutsford Market Hall, for their commitment and hard work in supporting the community during the first nationwide lockdown providing vital food and supplies to many residents, including offering delivery services to keep residents fed.

A new Sustainability Award was launched by the Knutsford and District Youth Council, designed to celebrate businesses who have taken strides to promote eco practices in their day to day operations. The award was presented by Alison Hooper, headteacher at Egerton Primary School, to Serenity Designs for their hard work to make sustainable changes and stock eco friendly products for their customers.

Cllr Andrew Malloy, Mayor of Knutsford, said: “The Knutsford Town Awards for me is one of the most important things we do as a Town Council. It is a direct representation from the people of the town acknowledging the amazing things that so many people do to support individuals within the town, as well as communities and businesses.

It has been a real thrill for me to meet the winners, hear their stories and present them with their awards of recognition. I really look forward to the 2021 Knutsford Town Awards and what they will bring for us.”