TraffordCity enters a new exciting phase

TraffordCity is on the cusp of great things following Therme Group and Peel L&P’s announcement in July that it plans to create a £200 million health and wellbeing resort on the current site of EventCity.

Subject to planning approval for the scheme, which was submitted in November 2019 it will be the first time the Therme Group will have brought their lavish leisure concept to the UK, which brings together the tradition of the ancient Roman spa with a unique indoor tropical paradise.

Although a new brand to the UK, Therme has built a reputation over the last 20 years for delivering, high quality and sustainable world class health and well-being resorts across Europe.

Affordable and accessible

Despite the aspirational and luxurious feel of a Therme resort, what makes their concept and philosophy so compelling is that its offering is affordable and accessible for all. As well as the obvious leisure element, providing a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the community is central to Therme’s beliefs.

James Whittaker, Peel L&P Group Development Director, said; “You really have to experience a Therme resort to appreciate its overall unique offer. They are on a scale and quality I have never seen before in the UK and for us to potentially deliver this, for the first time in TraffordCity is a once in a generation opportunity. Out of all the potential locations in the UK – this is where Therme want to be.”

It is undoubtedly exciting times in TraffordCity’s evolution but with opportunity comes change and to make way for the proposed location of this vast 26-acre attraction on the current EventCity site, the development team has submitted plans to transform the Soccerdome building into a new state-of the-art event and conference venue for EventCity. This also involves the relocation of Fives Soccer to the eight acre site in between Beyond and the Soccerdome. 

James added: “Over the past year, it has been like trying to reconfigure a jigsaw while still making the pieces fit. We are passionate about bringing Therme to TraffordCity to make it a world class retail and leisure destination. It will be a game changer for not only the area but a huge feather in the cap for the North of England – the economic and social benefits it will bring will be immense.”

“Equally, we have been mindful of EventCity’s requirements for an improved building and facilities to enable them to compete and win business in a competitive market. Therme’s desire to be here has accelerated our ambitions for EventCity and by doing it this way, we can have it all.”

New football facility

And by having it all, this also means creating a new football facility for the community, which will be sustainable for the long-term.

James added: “The reality is indoor football facilities are not viable for the long-term which is why 97% of football provision in the UK is now outdoor. We’re committed to providing grassroots football for the people of Trafford and we have the space to create eight, all-weather pitches, plus changing facilities. Fives Soccer is committed to running this for us and the Manchester Football Association is supportive of our plans. We’re all working together 
to make it happen.”

While this vision is clearly etched in Peel L&P’s mind, progress elsewhere in TraffordCity is clearly there.

The former container base site, on Barton Dock Road, has now been transformed into a new £41 million flagship retail centre for The Williams Group portfolio of brands - BMW, Mini, Land Rover and Jaguar. It opened its sleek doors in September and with its three-storey, glass-fronted contemporary showroom which also includes a car service centre. It cuts a handsome figure on Barton Dock Road.

James adds: “The arrival of iconic car brands in TraffordCity couldn’t be more apt since Ford’s first factory outside the USA was in Trafford Park and it was here where the Model T was manufactured.”

In the past year, a 250 tonne, St Paul’s Cathedral-esque dome has appeared on the TraffordCity skyline, to mark the £75 million development of Barton Square which will bring a further 110,000 sq ft of additional shops to the intu Trafford Centre next year.

Connectivity to the wider area

Over the next three years TraffordCity will be boosted by approximately £300 million of investment purely on Peel L&P’s assets. Cutting through this explosion of activity has been the construction of the new Trafford Park Metrolink line which Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has been delivering at a pace and is now due to open ahead of schedule in Spring 2020. It will bring connectivity from all over Greater Manchester into the epicentre of TraffordCity, which brings together some of the best retail, leisure, sport, culture and event offerings in the UK.

Home to businesses large and small

It’s a powerful mix and it continues to be a location where businesses want to be and with plans to bring a total of 10 million sq ft of employment space to TraffordCity the opportunity is there for the taking. 

Venus continues to be in demand as a commercial space and has most recently welcomed world leader in technology services and digital transformation, Capgemini.

One of the UK’s leading electrical distributors and family-owned, AVSL Group, committed to 80,000 sq ft of industrial space last and are now looking to expand further by taking another 60,000 sq ft building.

Paul Chappels said: “There is a perception that TraffordCity is home to big brand multi-national businesses. However, we work closely with many family-owned, privately-run businesses such as AVSL, Travel Counsellors and Kids Allowed to make their expansion plans a reality and they are going from strength to strength here.”

A place to call home 

TraffordCity is a multi-faceted location and as it enters its next phase it will become a world class destination which thousands of people can call home.

The securing of £4.1 million Homes Infrastructure Funding (HIF) means construction of the first access roads into Trafford Waters can commence. The roads will enter Trafford Waters at Radclyffe Road and Trafford Road, which will unlock planning for the first parcel of 350 family homes, which will be built next year.

Neil Baumber, Residential Director said: “We’ve agreed principle terms with two residential developers who will kickstart Trafford Waters in 2020. 

“It has been imperative for us to choose the right development partners to ensure these initial phases are all about placemaking – creating sustainable communities, with high quality public realm spaces where people want to live, work and play for generations to come.”

As plans are submitted for new homes, a world class attraction, a state-of-the art event venue, sustainable football pitches - this year has been all about laying the foundations for TraffordCity’s evolution, which will undoubtedly catapult its profile internationally.

Trafford Golf Centre has success down to a tee in 2019

As 2019 draws to a close, we reflect on the tremendous success of TraffordCity’s, Trafford Golf Centre and Dino Falls Adventure Golf. 

This year has been prosperous for the UK’s busiest driving range with a total of £50,000 invested to date - the 57-bay driving range and golf academy now boasts an exact replica of the most iconic par three hole in the world, the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass.

Earlier this year, £30,000 was invested to bring a dedicated short game practice area, featuring the best Huxley synthetic turf, to the popular TraffordCity golfing attraction. 

Director of Golf at Trafford Golf Centre, Pete Styles, said: “We value the quality of practice at Trafford Golf Centre and we always strive to offer the best service, balls, mats and targets. The recent upgrades to the range, including the addition of TopTracer back in January and recent café improvements, enables us to continue to be the north’s leading golf centre offering a premium golfing experience.”

The Dino Falls Adventure Golf success story continues as planning permission was granted for an additional 18 holes of Jurassic fun at the popular attraction. The course’s high profile opening in December wowed guests with its volcanic twist, including a six metre tall walkway, spouting volcano and features even more dinos!