Knutsford culture feature (From Knutsford Guardian)

Knutsford culture feature

8:40am Friday 3rd July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

By Amy Bishop, trustee and former curator at Knutsford Heritage Centre WHILST working at the Heritage Centre, the majority of my time was spent on attracting new visitors to Knutsford on the back of the town’s rich cultural heritage.

The centre has been successful in doing this and now regularly welcomes coach parties from across the region.

On average, these visitors spend no more than two hours at the centre before enjoying the rest of their day by dining and shopping in Knutsford.

They stay because Knutsford is perfect for this kind of leisure break visitor.

Walk the streets and you’ll find art galleries, boutique shops and excellent restaurants - not to mention the unique architecture and the kind of literary link that most towns would die for.

Knutsford is clearly a leisure break town and it needs its leisure break visitors.

The benefits of attracting these kinds of visitors are obvious, but I also believe that a strong visitor economy can benefit a wider community.

After all, a culturally rich, well-promoted and busy town helps not just shopkeepers and restaurateurs, but also businesses and local charities as well as residents and even homeowners.

So, at a time of economic downturn, when retailers and businesses are struggling and the streets are quiet, it is important that organisations like the Heritage Centre are not working alone to attract these vital visitors.

I am aware of the town’s growing business groups and town planning committee, which are all working very hard to make a difference.

But I wonder if they are working together and if they are working in the same direction?

The first step towards a better Knutsford is surely to increase the footfall in the town.

To do this, Knutsford needs to claim its identity as a unique cultural and historic town made for a visitor economy.

It needs to unite together to promote itself coherently and efficiently.

And it needs to send an exciting message out to potential visitors right across the North West.

I believe that if the town can work together to accept that its culture and history are its strengths, embrace that idea and use it to its best advantage, Knutsford will never look back.

Amy Bishop began as a volunteer at Knutsford Heritage Centre in October 2005. She was then curator at the building off King Street between January 2007 and June this year. Miss Bishop is now a trustee and has set up a social enterprise called Wonky, which acts as an arts agency. This week she gives her views on attracting visitors to Knutsford. Do you agree with her? Have your say at knutsfordguardian.co.uk

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS ARTICLE?

Please register for free to leave your comments in the 'Your Say' box below.

Readers can also discuss this story in the forum by CLICKING HERE.

Alternatively CLICK HERE to email us

THE Knutsford Guardian has launched this weekly column on its letters page.

It is written by four people who are involved in different areas of the town’s life.

The columns are called Knutsford Schools, Knutsford Business, Knutsford Politics and Knutsford Culture.

Knutsford High School head teacher Kevin Hollins writes the education piece.

Mr Hollins is in charge of 1,450 students aged between 11 and 18. He studied a history degree in Cambridge and has a masters degree in educational leadership and management.

The school principal began his career in Alsager in 1977 and has been head teacher at Knutsford High for 12 years.

Meanwhile, Tatton MP and Shadow Chancellor George Osborne writes the Knutsford Politics column.

He has been the town’s representative in Parliament since June 2001.

Mr Osborne replaced Martin Bell and became the youngest Conservative MP in the House of Commons.

He was re-elected in 2005 and has since become Shadow Chancellor.

The business column is written by Matthew Mooney, whose family own and run the Belle Epoque restaurant in King Street, Knutsford.

Mr Mooney has often spoken out in the Guardian about issues that affect traders in the town centre.

He also helps to organise events to promote the town, including last year’s floral walk during the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.

The culture column is written by Knutsford Heritage Centre curator Amy Bishop.

She has worked at the building off King Street for several years and led many projects.

Miss Bishop was recently involved in using Knutsford’s links with Elizabeth Gaskell to promote tourism in the town.

She helped organise Cranford tours after the successful BBC television adaptation of the book.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)