Trafford Centre Manchester

Trafford Centre ManchesterThe Trafford Centre Manchester opened in September 1998 and is the highest valued shopping centre in the UK at £1.65 billion.  It is currently the UK’s second largest shopping centre with plans to make it the largest.  It is situated in Dumplington next to Trafford Park Industrial Estate.  With 10% of the entire UK population living within a 45-minute drive of the Trafford Centre,  it’s hardly surprising that it attracts over 35 million visits a year.

The Trafford Centre Manchester is made up of four main areas:

  • The Orient
  • Peel Avenue
  • Regent Crescent
  • The Dome.

Its architecture is quirky Rococo/late Baroque in style with shades of white,  pink and gold throughout and an abundance of ivory,  jade and caramel-coloured marble everywhere.

The Orient at the Trafford Centre Manchester boasts the largest food court in Europe.  It seats 1600 people and is themed around a cruise ship.  On both its floors The Orient has dozens of bars and restaurants such as Nando’s, Carluccios and La Tasca.  It also houses the UK’s busiest cinema with over 28500 visitors a week.

Of course the biggest attraction by far of The Trafford Centre Manchester is its huge range of shops.  Its main anchor tenant is without doubt Selfridges which,  when it opened was the first Selfridges outside London.  Selfridges is situated in The Dome which is in the middle of the centre.  On Peel Avenue you’ll find such high street favourites as Apple, Boots and H&M while at one end of Peel Avenue the department store John Lewis occupies the area previously called the Festival Village.

The Trafford Centre Manchester expanded in a major way in March 2008 with the opening of Barton Square home to a huge range of homewares shops.  These shops include BHS Home,  Next Home,  Dwell and Laura Ashley.  You’ll find Barton Square to the west of the main centre and can be accessed by a glazed bridge.  A favourite for the children can also be found at Barton Square as it is home to Legoland.

The Trafford Centre Manchester is open Monday to Friday 10 am to 10 pm, Saturday 10 am to 8 pm and Sunday 12 noon to 6 pm.  Getting there couldn’t be easier as it is situated just off Junctions 9 and 10 of the M60 ring road.

Leave a Comment