Northwich news
Northwich news, newest first, from Chester Online: planning, roads, schools, business and what's on in Northwich, with every story linked to its source.
Top story
River Weaver Pennywort to Be Cleared With a £105,000 Grant
A £105,000 grant will pay for a weed cutter, canoe crews and a weevil trial to clear floating pennywort from the Weaver between Winsford and Acton Bridge.
More stories
Northwich
Tata Chemicals Gives Northwich Track to Llangollen Railway
The first 60-foot rails from Tata Chemicals Europe's disused Northwich sidings have reached Llangollen and Corwen Railway. Updated November 2026.
Britain in Bloom
Cheshire West Wins Gold at Britain in Bloom North West, and Six Parks Win Their Own
Cheshire West won Gold for its whole-borough entry at the 2026 North West in Bloom awards. Six parks won Gold too, and 18 volunteer groups were graded.
Recycling
Northwich Tip Closed to 20 November: Use Winsford Instead
Northwich's recycling centre on Marbury Lane shut on 2 November for urgent repairs and should reopen on 20 November. Winsford is open daily, 8am to 4pm.
Northwich
21,140 Illegal Cigarettes Seized in Northwich and Winsford
Raids on four Northwich and Winsford premises on 28 October seized 21,140 illegal cigarettes and 3.6kg of hand-rolling tobacco. How to report sales.
Transport
Kingsley and Sandiway Speed Limits: Object by 9 November
Lower speed limits are proposed on Hollow Lane, Kingsley (30mph) and Weaverham Road, Sandiway (20mph and 50mph). Objections close on 9 November.
Planning
Hartford 495 Homes Plan: Green Belt Bid, 45% Affordable
Redrow wants up to 495 homes on 34 hectares of Green Belt north of Chester Road, Hartford, with a shop, GP space and maybe a school. Comments are open to 18 November.
Libraries
22 Women Booklets: Free at Four West Cheshire Libraries
Free 22 Women booklets tell the stories of Cheshire women found in the archives. The first 11 are out: Helsby, Neston, Northwich and Winsford each hold one.
Parks
North West in Bloom Gold for Cheshire West and Six Parks
Cheshire West won Gold for its whole-borough entry at North West in Bloom 2026, with Gold for six parks including Westminster Park. Every group's result here.
Planning
Northwich M&S Foodhall Approved: 157 Spaces, 70 Jobs
M&S has planning permission for a foodhall on Leicester Street, Northwich, next to Aldi. Open 7am to 11pm, 157 customer spaces, about 70 jobs, and a new crossing.
Food & Drink
Afternoon Tea in Chester Now the Grosvenor Has Closed: 8 Places to Book
Eight places for afternoon tea in Chester with prices, hours and booking rules, from Oddfellows in the city to Rowton Hall at £23. Checked October 2026.
Parks
Chester Playgrounds and Parks for Children
We list 14 playgrounds in and around Chester, from Grosvenor Park to Marbury Country Park, with equipment, toilets, cafes and parking. Checked October 2026.
Walks
Walks Near Chester: 10 Routes Worth Pulling Your Boots On For
We list 10 walks near Chester with distance, parking and toilets, from the free city walls to Delamere Forest and the Wirral Way. Checked October 2026.
Northwich
Northwich Roadworks: Road Closures and Traffic Orders Near Northwich
Northwich roadworks: Gadbrook Park (notice of 29 Oct) and every other traffic order within 3 km, checked each morning with the council's notice linked.
Northwich
Northwich Weather: 7-Day Forecast and Today's Hourly Outlook
Northwich weather today: fog, 10°C by day and 4°C overnight, with a 0% chance of rain and winds up to 4 mph. Seven-day forecast, updated every morning.
Northwich
Northwich Autumn Head 2026: Sunday Results Published
The Northwich Autumn Head went ahead on Sunday 8 November despite the pennywort threat. The club has published Sunday's results; Saturday's are not posted yet.
Christmas
Chester Ice Rink 2026: Oaks on Ice, Adults £15, to 3 Jan
Chester has no city rink in 2026; the nearest is Oaks on Ice at Cheshire Oaks, open daily to 3 January. Prices, session times, age rules and Black Friday hours.
Northwich
Northwich Firefest 2026: 7 Nov, Bonfire 6.30pm, Adults £10
Northwich Firefest is Saturday 7 November at Verdin Park: gates 5pm, bonfire 6.30pm, fireworks 7.30pm, adults £10, children £5. Checked October 2026.
Northwich
Northwich Christmas Extravaganza 2026: Saturday 21 November
Northwich Christmas Extravaganza 2026 is Saturday 21 November, a week earlier than last year, with an artisan market on Witton Street from 10am to 7pm.
Half Term
Chester October Half Term 2026: 26 to 30 October, What's On
Chester's October half term is 26 to 30 October 2026: Halloween at Chester Zoo, a £12 children's ghost walk, Horrible Histories at Storyhouse and the fireworks.
Northwich
Northwich Market Opens at Barons Quay, All 19 Stalls Let
Northwich's new Barons Quay market shuts Monday and Tuesday and opens late on Friday and Saturday. Opening times, all 19 traders and how to get there.
Moulton
Moulton Pub, Club and Church Up for Community Asset Listing
Four Moulton buildings went before Cheshire West on 17 September as assets of community value. The council has until 12 November to decide each one.
Chester
Chester Remembrance 2026: Armistice Day 10.50am Wednesday
Chester marks Armistice Day on Wednesday 11 November with an Act of Remembrance at 10.50am in the Cathedral Gardens. Remembrance Sunday was 8 November.
Chester
Chester Christmas Lights 2026: No Switch-On, Parade 19 Nov
Chester's Christmas lights come on from 7pm on Thursday 19 November 2026, street by street as the 12 Days of Christmas Parade passes. Route, parades, parking.
Chester
Chester Santa Grotto 2026: Eastgate Square Opens 20 Nov
Grotto on the Square at Eastgate Square opens 20 November; Brunch with Santa at the cathedral is £16.50; Victorian Father Christmas is £10 on 28-29 Nov.
Chester
Chester Panto 2026: Rapunzel at Storyhouse, 4 Dec to 3 Jan
Storyhouse's 2026 panto is Rapunzel, 4 December to 3 January, from £19.50. Plus every access performance date, and the Northwich and Ellesmere Port pantos.
Northwich
Northwich Market Shuts 29 Aug, New One Opens 18 Sept
Trading at Weaver Square ends on Saturday 29 August. The new £1.8m market at Barons Quay opens on Friday 18 September, leaving 19 days with no market.
Schools
Cheshire West Term Dates 2026/27: Half Term 26 October
Cheshire West's next break is Christmas: schools finish Friday 18 December and return 4 January. Every 2026/27 half term, plus King's and Queen's dates.
Bins
Chester Christmas Bin Collections: Four Days Moved in 2025
Cheshire West moved four bin days last Christmas, three to Saturdays. The 2026 list follows in December; last year's dates, the tree drop-offs and the tip.
Bins
Chester Tip Opening Times: 8am to 4pm, Northwich Shut to 20 Nov
Northwich tip is shut 2 to 20 November for repairs; Winsford is the nearest open site. Every Cheshire West tip's winter hours, plus the plate registration you need.