It’s great to see Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre back open … just in time for their Beer Festival on 14 and 15 May 2022.
We’re delighted to financially support this event and hope that you’ll join us in welcoming back this fantastic community asset.
We were delighted to contribute to a new Market Place blue plaque, commissioned by Knaresborough Civic Society to commemorate the town’s historic Wednesday market.
The market is one of the oldest in the country, with King Edward II granting Knaresborough a Royal Charter to hold a market in 1310, and is an important asset for our community.
Chamber have played an active role in its preservation over the past 5 years and we hope that it will continue to thrive at the heart of our historic market town for many years to come.
Roger the town crier expertly announced the unveiling at today’s market, with photos taken on behalf of the town by Chamber Member Charlotte Gale.
One of the key things which has been highlighted by Chamber surveys and group discussions is the importance of local trade for many businesses in the town.
Whilst some do rely heavily on tourists, many are almost entirely dependent on local residents or businesses. The new housing developments on the outskirts of the town will bring many new residents to Knaresborough, many of whom may struggle to feel part of the community due to geographical location.
Chamber recognised an opportunity to engage with this new potential customer base and have worked with Knaresborough Town Council, Knaresborough Connectors, Knaresborough Rotary and Knaresborough Lions to produce a ‘Beginners Guide to Knaresborough’ booklet, ably narrated by Roger the Town Crier.
These booklets have been delivered to new residents and also distributed to local estate agents. New residents can also find out more information on the knaresborough.community website, managed by Knaresborough Connectors.
With just over two weeks to go until its popular Christmas Market Weekend, Knaresborough promises to offer visitors a Yorkshire Christmas experience to remember this year. Centred around the imposing Christmas tree in the town’s historic Market Place, this traditional Yorkshire market is a firm favourite with residents and visitors alike.
The market opens at 10am on Saturday 4 December, when the town centre will be filled with almost 50 stalls selling seasonal goods, gifts and the best of locally sourced produce. Hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and performances by a wide variety of local dancers, brass bands and choirs will add to the festive atmosphere, as shoppers browse the brightly lit stalls and local independent shops.
Elsewhere in the town, visitors can take in the picturesque viaduct river view, explore Knaresborough’s Castle Keep and Tudor Courthouse museum (Saturday only) and visit the stunning Christmas Tree festival at St John’s Parish Church or Mother Shipton’s Christmas Experience (pre-booked tickets only).
Market Chair, Hazel Haas, comments:
“Sadly we had to cancel last year’s market, so there is a real buzz in the town about its return. It’s been a difficult 18 months for Knaresborough residents and businesses and we wanted to give everyone something to look forward to. We are also keen that this year’s event benefits the town as a whole. Members of our volunteer committee from Knaresborough Chamber, Rotary and Lions’ have been liaising with other local organisations to ensure that we are promoting the full range of festive events taking place in Knaresborough over the market weekend. We are also supporting Air cadets, Lions, Rotary, Hearing Dogs for Deaf people and Knaresborough Cricket Club, who are our charitable partners for this year.”
Committee member Charlotte Gale from Knaresborough Chamber adds, “we have a fantastic range of local independent shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants in town, not just in the market square, but on the surrounding streets and High Street. We hope that visitors to the market will also take the time to explore everything which Knaresborough has to offer. The businesses always make such an effort to decorate their windows for Christmas, which gives a wonderful festive feeling in town on the market weekend.”
As always, the market weekend will close at 4.30pm on Sunday 5 December with a fantastic firework finale, set against the dramatic backdrop of Knaresborough’s famous viaduct and the Nidd Gorge. This is best seen from any viewpoint which overlooks the river area.
The centre of Knaresborough is largely pedestrianised for the event, but a free Park and Ride is available all weekend from the GSPK car park (HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the market square.
For more information and entertainment timings, visit the event website at www.knaresboroughchristmasmarket.co.uk
Great North Auto Services offers a wide range of vehicle services and repairs across all vehicle makes and models, including MOT, services and tyres. Located just outside Knaresborough on the A168 at Rabbit Hill Business Park, we are well placed to serve all the local surrounding areas and offer courtesy cars or a free collection and delivery service.
Chain Lane Community Hub is a great quality venue based in Knaresborough that is flexible, reasonably priced and easily accessible. We provide:
All our rooms are available for regular weekly or monthly hire, or for one-off events.
Our facilities are designed to meet your needs:
We are working hard to keep the Hub ‘Covid-secure’ and our offices are open for enquiries from 09:30-12:00 every weekday.
Please contact us on 01423 861 066 or email us at info@chainlane.org.
A survey of local businesses was carried out by the Knaresborough Chamber of Trade to assess the readiness and thoughts of business owners as Knaresborough comes out of lockdown. From the 24 responses received the picture is not all of despondency and gloom, but rather of investing in bringing back their businesses stronger than ever. Indeed, a quarter of businesses reported higher than pre-COVID footfall and a third said that takings were also higher. You can also be sure of a spruced up experience as about two thirds of business either did a deep clean or redecorated and improved their premises – or both.
We can be proud of our local businesses who certainly didn’t put their feet up during lockdown. Innovations including online trading and undertaking training to improve their prospects both featured highly in the responses. In addition, local independents will continue to offer many of the facilities started during lockdown to provide the best possible service to residents and visitors to the town.
Local community organisations including the Knaresborough Chamber and Knaresborough Connectors were pivotal in keeping the town and it’s residents abreast of what products and services were available, pushing the #shoplocalstaysafe message and through #Knaresboroughunlocked provided a range of initiatives designed to support social distancing for businesses, customers and the town in general as the lockdown was eased.
You can see the full results of the survey HERE.
Firstly can we say how immensely proud we are of the business and community response to this crisis we are currently facing. We also know that many business owners have had to make great personal and professional sacrifices in recent weeks and our thoughts are with those who have been asked, or chosen, to temporarily close. We know how heartbreaking this is.
Our thoughts are with the whole Knaresborough business community at this time and please know that you are not alone. We are all in this together and we will pull through. If anyone feels that they need to talk to someone, there are members of Chamber who can help.
We know it’s hard when there is so much to process, but if you are no longer able to trade, remember the importance of staying in touch with your customers during this difficult time. Social media is a great way of doing this and many people will be spending more time on here than normal. Like, comment and share other businesses posts too, so that we are all supporting the wider Knaresborough business community.
We are supporting local businesses by listing them on our website during lockdown, both members and non-members. Check out the businesses which are still open for business here. If you would like to be included please email hello@knaresboroughchamber.org
For anyone needing advice, the Government are updating advice and information for businesses on their website daily. https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
Knaresborough Chamber of Trade is delighted to be a member of the Welcome to Yorkshire family. Click here for more…
