Discover Knutsford Shortlisted for Association of Town and City Management Award
The winners will be announced on Wednesday 18th June.
Discover Knutsford, the innovative place brand and website developed by Knutsford Town Council, has been shortlisted for a Best Marketing and Branding Scheme at the upcoming Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) awards. This significant recognition highlights the success of a project funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
The Discover Knutsford initiative involved a two-pronged marketing approach, harnessing local talent to capture the town's unique charm. Bella Marketing and Design were instrumental in developing the distinct 'place brand,' while McClaren Jones Marketing brought the vision to life with a comprehensive destination website
Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager, said “Developing a place brand and visitor website had been a long-term aim of the council and we were delighted that the Shared Prosperity Fund made this possible. Working with two local agencies ensured the character of our town was perfectly captured to attract both visitors and residents. We are delighted to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards.”
Bella Marketing and Design led the creation of the Discover Knutsford brand. Tessa Blakemore, Creative Director at Bella Marketing and Design, commented, "Our creative studio really enjoyed working with the team at Knutsford Town Council to create the new brand identity. Our designers produced a contemporary, stylish brand which takes inspiration from the traditional architectural features and colour palette of the environment. It was important to respect the heritage whilst positioning Knutsford as a forward-thinking, multi-faceted place to visit. The emblem of the archway invites visitors to look beyond the obvious and discover everything our vibrant town has to offer."
This new brand is now consistently applied across all marketing collateral, including a comprehensive branding guide that informs social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), leaflets, posters, banners, and a full suite of exhibition materials.
Sandra Curties continued, "The exhibition collateral has proved extremely helpful when attending events such as the Cheshire Show, Knutsford Christmas Markets, and the RHS. It created a visual impact for our information hub, enabling people to find out about our town. In addition, events such as Flash Fashion, Knutsford Music Festival, and Wellness Week are now unified under this umbrella brand, helping to create a consistent identity for the town."
Leveraging the new branding guide, McClaren Jones Marketing developed the user-friendly "Discover Knutsford" website. Anita Jones, Managing Director at McClaren Jones Marketing, shared, "Developing the destination website for Knutsford was a truly special project for our team. Not only was it our inaugural collaboration with the council, but it was also a chance to build something impactful for our very own local town. The site is now the definitive resource for residents, visitors, and businesses, comprehensively showcasing Knutsford's many attractions and inviting people to 'take a closer look.'’
The winners will be announced in awards ceremony in Bradford on Wednesday 18th June.