Christmas is Coming
 
Is it Time to Take Your Loved Ones to the Trafford Centre
 
From your Roving Mark Reporter
 
Just in case you haven’t yet made that visit to the country’s largest shopping centre now’s the time, the Christmas Decorations are all up, the staff are all in a cheery mood and there are lots of fresh coffee and snack stops for you to relax in whilst your other halves and children are mooching about trying to find items for their Christmas stockings. All you have to do is give them your credit card and pin of course or the old standby Cash. Keith especially asked for a report for the ladies to view and was himself looking forward to an early morning visit with his good lady June, for the uninitiated the absolute best time to arrive is about 9.45 am, plenty of parking spaces and once inside there is a very pleasant atmosphere, no need for big coats and at that time it is very easy to walk about freely. Once it starts to get towards lunch time you find that everyone for some reason appears to be walking towards you, now it would be nice to have either a sit down meal at one of the many and varied restaurants or call to the food hall where once again there is just about every kind of food available be it cold or hot, including of course as you know my favorite Harry Ramsdens, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
Vast Car Parks
Road Works
Walk way to Barton Square
Besides the vast amount of different traders the centre has very pleasant surroundings, sweeping staircases, fountains, waterfalls and of course the vast lower floor eating area which is created in the guise of a big liner complete with its own indoor sky constantly changing from day to night. Another of my favourites is the old town New Orleans Street complete with its statue of bronze jazz musicians, next is a great area China Town Look out for the Big Dragon decorations and restaurants.
Walk way to shops
Legoland
Build a Bear
On a separate floor under the big dome is the Odeon multi screen cinema complete with its popcorn stands and lots of goodies to munch on or perhaps you could just have a snooze in the very comfy seats whilst your family watches the movie. Next to the cinema is Paradise Island Golf, Laser Quest and the Rock.
China Town
The Merc
Merc Plaque
You can also stroll across the glass covered walkway to Barton Square which contains amongst other things to do Sea Life and the Legoland Discovery Centre, this area is being developed even  further the last time I was in there.
A Freeze
Apple

Thorntons (Yummy)
A brief history of the centre:- Opened by Peel Estates in 1998 at a cost of £600 Million it is near Trafford Park and 5 miles from Manchester City centre, sold on in 2011 at a cost of 1.65 Billion, the largest single property acquisition in British history. The two extensions built since its opening cost £100 Million. The figures are staggering. Ten percent of the UK population live within a 45 minute drive and attracts 35 Million visitors a year; it has Europe’s largest food court and the biggest cinema complex. There are over 12.500 Free car parking spaces, space for 350 coaches and construction is well on to bring the Metrolink into the centre, this will create a direct link from all parts of Greater Manchester including Altrincham, Bury, Oldham and the airport.
China Town
Ditto
General View
The council had shares and seats on the board of the original Sip Canal Co which at some point they deemed to be meaningless due to the majority holdings held by Peel Developments, these were snapped up at what now would probably be thought of as being very cheap £10 Million.
Food Area
Planning applications started back in 1986 and was rejected by the council fearing it would impact on city centre shopping and all the small local towns like my own Urmston of course, money talks and eventually in 1995 the House of Lords over ruled all previous rejections.
Ship
Cafe’s
The Great Hall
Now doesn’t it seem strange that Manchester council who refused planning originally because of its impact are allowing trams to go directly to it from the centre of Manchester whose shops are already struggling to survive!
Life Boats
Grand Entrance
Food Hall
Just a few more interesting facts, the turnover is £85 Million, and the site is now valued at £1.7 Billion, by comparison the second largest centre after this one is the Metro Centre valued at £864 Million with a turnover of £50.4 Million. Re branded as the Intu Trafford Centre in 2013 at a cost of £7 Million, one wonders why because of course nobody takes the slightest notice of its new name!
Stage
The Tube
The Great Dome
The Centre’s unorthodox architecture was prompted by John Whittaker the chairman (who I used to have many chats with when I worked in Trafford Park), he had to convince the architects that a lavish design would not alienate shoppers. In the words of the chairman it was built to be future proof and the infrastructure makes it capable of even adding a fourth floor! The central Big Dome I always look out for on my way home from Team Visits around Lancashire is bigger than the one on St Paul’s Cathedral, there are 45,000 square metres of marble and granite flooring directly brought in from Italy, the gold which can be seen all over the pillars isn’t paint, its gold leaf. All the handrails and floors are polished every night to maintain the centre’s opulent appearance.
Selfridges
General View
Fountain
Many of the features pay homage to the Industrial Revolution and the nearby ship canal, the Lancashire Rose permeates the decor on window panes and interior cornices, Mythical Griffin statues adorn the exterior, the heraldic symbol of the De Trafford Baronets who historically owned much of the land in modern day Trafford. Other unusual items include the portraits around the walls which are members of the Whittaker family and the Mercedes Car which used to belong to John Whittaker’s mother.
General View
Jazz Band
Band Plaque
Close by are more leisure facilities under the banner of Trafford Quays Leisure Village, the Chill Factor, Trafford Golf Centre, indoor football facility and a sky diving experience unit. Four hotels are also available should you wish to stay overnight, Premier Inn, North, South and West plus Travelodge Trafford Park.
All vehicles entering have their details recorded via ANPR which has reduced the number of thefts of and from vehicles to a level described as negligible.
New Orleans
Bandstand
Hope the above information was of interest and now a brief list of some of the shops available:-
Boots, Debenhams, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Selfridges, Apple, Bose, Curry’s, Radley, Michael Kors, Halifax plc, Clarks, Dune, JD, River Island, Body Shop, Beaverbrook’s, Breitling, Ernest Jones, F Hinds, Goldsmiths, H Samuel, Omega, Pandora, Swarovski, Warren James, Watch Hospital, Calvin Klein, Dorothy Perkins, Lacoste, Levi’s, Miss Selfridge, Monsoon, Next, Oasis, Superdry, Ted Baker, Timberland, Topshop, Boss, Coast, Lambretta, Topman, VANS, O2, Carphone Warehouse, Samsung, Vodafone,
Odeon
General View
Statue
Statue Plaque
Restaurants.. Barburrito, Brewers Fabre, Cafe Rouge, Carlucchio’s, Chowbaby, Coast to Coast, Est Est Est, La Tasha, Yang Sing, Zizzi, Wagamama, TGI Friday’s, Pizza Express, Pizza Hut, Nando’s, Mardi Gras, Las Iguanas, Giraffe,
Dome & Cinema
Box Office
Cafes/Bars.. Costa, Croma, Cafe Nero, All Bar One, Cafe Revive, Eat, Leon, Oh You Pretty Thing, Starbucks, Style Cafe,
Laser Quest
Food on the run, Barburritto, Boost Juice, Bradwells, Burger King, Harry Ramsdens, KFC, Millie’s, Mr Pretzels, East Street, Sher Khan Express, Spud u Like, Subway, etc etc
Golf
Kids Party
The List goes on Forever, take an early morning trip with your loved ones or perhaps go and find that special Christmas present for that Someone Special. If your coming from the North on the M60, as you approach the high level bridge get into the outside lane to avoid the traffic queue, go over the bridge and take the next exit, keep left and you’ve cracked it.
Cafe’s
The Centre has, free mobile phone charging, Free Wi Fi, Child Safety Wrist Bands, Mamas and Papas pushchair hire, Fun Buggies, Lost and Found Property, for Disabled visitors there are Low Floor Buses, Dedicated Toilet Facilities, Assisted Change Facilities, and Sensory Aids.
Watch Hospital
Time is running out, only a month to go, don’t leave it too late, when all the shoppings done, you can sit in your easy chair at home with a bottle of something nice and watch some old movies, “White Christmas” “Miracle on 34th Street to name but two.
Everythings Big
Waterfall
Waterfall Plaque
Fountain
Smaller Dome
Wife at Front & Sister & Bags!!
Here’s to our next Merry Meeting, Ho Ho Ho.
 
Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173
Other Shopping Centres and Retail Outlets are available Nationwide