THE much-loved Trafford Centre is reopening next week as non-essential retail is allowed to return from April 12.
But what can shoppers expect at the centre after months of lockdown?
Zoe Inman, centre director, said: “We’re more than ready to give our visitors a big welcome back from 12 April and once again provide people with the Trafford Centre experience they know and love, as well as welcoming some new and exciting brands.”
Which shops won’t be reopening?
The enormous Manchester shopping centre has confirmed that customers will be able to safely browse the shops with favourite brands such as Selfridges, John Lewis, Zara and Primark at Barton Square all reopening their doors.
However, the pandemic hit the highstreet hard and many big brands have ceased trading as a result.
Here are the shops that won’t be reopening in the Trafford Centre:
- Thorntons
- Topshop and Topman
- Debenhams
- Burtons
- Aldo Shoes
- Dorothy Perkins
- Miss Selfridge
New shops and restaurants at the Trafford Centre
However, The Trafford Centre as we know it is also changing, with new brands and shops also set to open their doors from April 12 including:
- Gym+Coffee- An athleisure brand (opening 17 April)
- Polestar- A car showroom
Polestar (Photo: Trafford Centre/Charlotte Cunningham)
- Chopstix- Noodle Bar
- Tommy Hilfiger- American premium clothing brand
- Rituals- cosmetics store
Rituals (Photo: Trafford Centre, Charlotte Cunningham)
- Pop Specs- Ophthalmic service
- Forever Unique- Luxury fashion brand
- Aldo- Shoe store
- Archie's- Fast food restaurant
(Photo: Trafford Centre/Charlotte Cunningham)
Can we eat at Trafford Centre restaurants?
Dining-in at restaurants and indoor entertainment venues isn’t allowed until 17 May at the earliest.
However, a wide range of restaurants, such as Tampopo, Five Guys, Archie’s, Barburrito and Slim Chickens, will be offering a takeaway service from 12 April - with visitors welcome to enjoy their food and drink on one of the centre’s many outdoor areas.
New outdoor seating areas will also be introduced so people can sit and enjoy their meals.
What safety measures are in place at The Trafford Centre?
The Trafford Centre’s strong safety measures will continue to play an important part in making the centre a safe place to visit and work, including one-way systems, frequent deep cleans, hand sanitation stations, regular tannoy announcements and capacity limits. In addition:
- Everyone must wear a face covering on entry and indoors, unless exempt. Trained officers will be engaging with customers at entrances if they are not wearing a face covering.
- In order to adhere to the centre’s capacity limits and allow for social distancing, visitors may be asked to queue to get in, particularly at weekends when the centre can be more popular. People are advised to come prepared for the Great British weather, should they have to queue.
- Their teams have undertaken additional wellbeing and customer service training, and we ask visitors to be kind and considerate to our colleagues and to others
- People should only visit the centre with people they live with or are in a support bubble with; the rule of six applies to indoor spaces from 17 May.
- A number of car parks and entrances will remain closed to help manage capacity.
Zoe Inman said: “Our approach to re-opening will be cautious and we have lots of precautions in place as restrictions are gradually eased. We’ve invested in additional training and wellbeing resources for our colleagues, and teams have been working hard to get the centre ready.
“All we ask of visitors is to plan their trip, check our website and social channels for important information, and follow any safety measures in place. Our hardworking teams are here to help keep you safe, so please be kind and considerate if approached by one of our colleagues. Let’s all work together to ensure restrictions can be eased further, and we can go back to a more normal way of life.”
What are the opening hours?
Centre opening hours will be:
Monday- Saturday: 10am–9pm
Sundays: 12pm–6pm
From 17 May, the centre will remain open until 10pm. A full list of stores and opening hours can be found here: traffordcentre.co.uk.
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