The understated Cheshire town with a big heart – things to love about Handforth

You may or may not have heard of the Cheshire town Handforth from award winning restaurants (press release secured by Icon), a retail park, luxury car showrooms and let’s not forget Julie’s infamous iPad! It’s easy to see why Handforth is becoming an increasingly popular location with homeowners. The benefits don’t end there Handforth is within throwing distance of Manchester Airport (taxis to the airport cost around £16) but not on the flight path and well connected for commuters due to it’s excellent links via the A555 and A34 as well as bus and train services, outstanding schools and surrounded by beautiful countryside walks including secret cut throughs to Stanley Green, Styal and Handforth Dean (if you know you know!)

Handforth Map Supplied by Handforth Town Council

Just a mile and a half from the cosmopolitan town of Wilmslow but significantly more affordable you can snap up a property in Handforth for as little as £175k;

“House prices in Handforth have an overall average of £345,613 over the last year. The majority of properties sold in Handforth during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £354,450. Flats sold for an average of £174,385, with detached properties fetching £506,129.”

The Grange, Clay Lane Supplied by Handforth Town Council

With plans for a Garden Village in the pipeline and the new Anwyl Homes and Jones Homes developments Handforth is seeing an influx of homeowners and is set to become a destination of choice for first time buyers, families and downsizers alike. So what prompted us to write this blog? A social media video recently painted a less than favourable picture of Handforth describing it as a “snide Wilmslow” and we felt compelled to set the record straight. You can see the video here WARNING: contains graphic language . Our MD Kiesha Humphreys moved to Handforth around 6 years ago. Lured by the competitively priced properties she chose to move her family and business to Handforth to purchase her forever home and it’s fair to say she’s fallen in love with the charm of this once maligned village.

“There’s so much to like about Handforth, with a great selection of pubs and restaurants, shops and takeaways it was a no-brainer to move to Handforth. When we were house hunting a homeowner told us how she used to be a Wilmslow snob before moving to Handforth. My two boys used to love going for rides on the miniature railway in Meriton Park on a Sunday when they were  younger and everyone is so friendly. I can still dip into Wilmslow when I need to but I simply LOVE living in Handforth”.

Handforth Miniature Railway Credit: Handforth Miniature Railway Facebook Page

There’s plenty to do for younger residents too with a weekly youth club, scouts, regular events at Handforth library and a skatepark. The community spirit is in abundance during events such as Halloween, Bonfire night and Christmas carols in the paddock. Handforth has many established businesses such as Second Opinion which has been a regular fixture in Handforth since the early 80s. Their beautiful salon has recently undergone a full refurbishment confirming their commitment to Handforth.

We’d be remiss not to mention the newly opened Marguerite Patisserie Handforth’s newest coffee shop. Replacing Woods paper shop which ended it’s lengthy tenure due to retirement. Marguerite is an Instagrammers dream. Think delicious baked goods, coffee and ice-cream available to eat-in or takeout. Simply beautiful and cosy you’ll love it!

Marguerite Patisserie Credit: Marguerite Facebook Page

This only scratches the surface of all the great things to see and do in Handforth but we must give Shentons Farm Shop a special mention who upped the ante during COVID keeping the people of Handforth and surrounding areas well served for eggs, fruit, veg and more.

Intrigued? Why not pay Handforth a visit? Whether you’re looking to get pampered, go for a meal or some retail therapy Handforth has it all. If you’d like to share your love of Handforth or discuss business in one of Handforth's many coffee shops we’d be happy to have a chat simply complete the callback form and we’ll be in touch.

Mum’s the Word for Business Success

It may only be in its first trimester, but 2019 is already a boom year for ex-radio presenter and mum-of-two, Kiesha Humphreys who is celebrating her fourth year at the helm of Icon Marketing Communications Ltd. In that time, Icon, a specialist marketing consultancy based in Wilmslow, has been responsible for a number of SME business success stories across Cheshire and Manchester.

Kiesha Humphreys

Photo credit: Senem Peace Photography

Kiesha explains; “I set up the business after the birth of my first son, and Icon is an anagram of his name, Nico. I’d been working at a senior level at a large advertising agency in Manchester, and while I was on maternity leave it struck me that there is a gap in the market for a reasonably priced and flexible marketing resource, in the area.”

Kiesha has first-hand experience of smaller businesses approaching large agencies and being put off by the cost. She says, “Bigger organisations can be a bit intimidating to smaller businesses – especially when they only need a one-off marketing facility or a bespoke marketing service.”

While larger organisations often don’t see the immediate potential in helping businesses when they’re starting out or are at the ‘expansion phase’, Kiesha seizes the opportunity to put her big agency knowledge and international marketing expertise to the test.

“For the past 15 years I’ve worked in the UK and South East Asia. In this time, I’ve seen the communications climate change dramatically – and it still is changing, year on year”.

In tandem with her ‘day’ job as a Business Development Manager for upmarket restaurant chain, Gusto, Kiesha honed her communications skills as a regular Radio Presenter for Cheshire’s Silk 106.9, BBC Radio Manchester and Capital (formerly Galaxy 102). It meant she had her finger on the pulse of all kinds of media. “I’m a natural-born communicator,” she says, “I was increasingly drawn to digital channels and I could see that the major draw of digital is its level of accountability and significant ROI”.

Photo credit: Jonathan Farber

As well as running Icon, Kiesha has spent the last year completing her Google Ads certifications and working on SEO projects with a number of clients.

Kiesha continues; “There is still a need for an integrated marketing communications strategy to support and strengthen the digital aspect, including PR, events and traditional print and radio advertising”.

Kiesha says; “While we’re based in Wilmslow, we often work from The Workspace in Handforth, a beautiful co-worker environment that has flexible terms – it’s great for businesses who want to collaborate. We work with businesses of all sizes to provide one-off support or ongoing marketing management (across the mix) in and around Manchester and Cheshire. We create tailor made packages in line with our clients’ budgets or we can offer bespoke solutions to suit their needs.”

The Workspace Handforth Meeting Room

Photo credit: Compton Harry Photography

It’s not every day a company can benefit from marketing experience of the kind Icon can deliver, without the international agency price tag. With so many success stories under her belt – and plenty more waiting to happen, Kiesha is more than happy to spread the good news.

For more information visit www.iconmarketingcommunications.co.uk .

To celebrate its fourth year. Icon Marketing Communications Ltd is offering all readers a 1 hour complimentary marketing consultation. For more details, please contact Kiesha on kiesha@iconmarketingcommunications.co.uk or call 07979940526.

The Workspace can be contacted on 01625 522209 or via email info@theworkspace.uk

For more information visit www.theworkspace.uk.