This was the year when new businesses opened and some closed and the year when the town partied for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

It was a year of highs and lows, a year when we saw big celebrations but also sadness as the cost-of-living crisis began to bite.

Sandbach's Lower Chequer pub opened with new owners in March – none other than two fashion models who started a new chapter in their lives.

Francesca Bell and Wes Cotton took over the pub whose building is thought to be the oldest in the town, dating back to 1570.

The Lower Chequer's Francesca Bell and Wes Cotton

Named after the chequer board, history has it that the 'chequered board' was used to help educate customers to count their money.

Sadly, Jordan Gatley, a former pupil of Sandbach School, and a British soldier was confirmed dead in June, fighting alongside the Ukrainian forces against Russian invaders.

advertisement

Jordan Gatley

The war in the Ukraine has continued to dominate the headlines and sadly it claimed the life of Jordan who grew up in Sandbach. 

June saw the town celebrate in late Queen's Platinum Jubilee in style with shops displaying 'royal' windows.

Francesco hairdressers in Market Square started the trend by having the late Queen's head complete with her crown painted on the window of the shop on The Cobbles.

Then a wine, beer and gin bar, Bar Six, across the historic Cobbles had a crown and Union Jacks painted on their window by the same artist.

A stunning crocheted letter box cover then appeared on top of the Royal Mail Post Box opposite next to Sandbach Literary Institute in Bradwall Road.

advertisement

Families and community groups across the town celebrated and partied to mark the big occasion.

In the town centre itself, new businesses opened while others fell foul of this year's cost-of-living crisis.

The owner of a popular Sandbach café said rising energy prices had forced him to make the tough decision to call it a day.

Sadly, Minshull's Country Kitchen in Welles Street closed in August, eight years after opening.

Paul Minshull said he couldn't take the chance of continuing in business with the hike in energy prices.

Lloyds in Sandbach announced it was closing, finally shutting its doors in early December, saying visits had fallen dramatically in the last five years.

The future of another high street name is also unknown. M&Co, which has a branch in Penda Way, Sandbach, announced it was going into administration.

On a happier note, a cocktail and burger bar, Bunita, a play on the Spanish word 'bonita' which means pretty or cute in Spanish and Portuguese, finally opened.

Business owners, Phillip Bebbington and Yosleydy Lopez, who also own nearby Cubar in Sandbach, are hoping it brings a touch of sunshine to the town.

The year ended on a royal note with something to remember our beloved late Queen by – Fiona Bruce MP, planted a tree as part of the Green Canopy.

Organised by Sandbach Woodland and Wildlife Group, the MP planted the tree at the start of the Dingle Wood path in Sandbach.