“WE want to make it as big for the town as we can. That’s the most important thing – bringing people’s attention to this place.”

Those were the words of Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess when the Guardian met with the band in The Plaza months ago.

At that point in time, there was no North by Northwich name and much of the details of the homecoming festival were yet to be ironed out.

But there was a very clear vision, and that was to shine a spotlight on Northwich and to give something back to the town where it all began.

That vision grew into a 10-day festival in the heart of Northwich, from May 10 to May 20. It included four Charlatans shows at Memorial Court supported by a huge schedule of events at venues around the town such as The Salty Dog, The Salt House, The Plaza, The Harlequin Theatre, Retros, Witton Chimes and Gladstone Club.

BBC radio presenter Mark Radcliffe opened a Charlatans exhibition at Barons Quay two weeks ago and lauded the band's efforts to recognise their roots.

Speaking to the crowd, he said: “These guys didn’t have to do this for Northwich. They could do a normal tour and make a lot of money, but they’ve put a lot of heart and thought and soul into representing where the band started.”

And for the following 10 days, the band did everything they could to back that up and to shout about their home town.

They hosted a ‘speed interview’ session at The Seafarer, kickstarted the reopening of the town’s historic cinema, attracted fans from all corners of the globe to Northwich, gave young local bands a chance to be heard, and broadcasted one of their four Memorial Court gigs live around the world, all while sipping beer made by a father and son micro brewery from Sandiway. 

As well as that, Tim also held an ‘in conversation with’ event with all the proceeds going to renovating The Harlequin Theatre.

Mission accomplished. 

It may have taken 28 years for the band to return to Northwich, but it was well worth the wait.

Pick up tomorrow's paper for a special 12-page Charlatans pull out and poster.