In just one year, Trafford Palazzo in TraffordCity has transformed the retail and leisure landscape. Trafford Palazzo is now home to some of the UK’s best-known brands and has become a must-visit destination, offering diverse experiences and adventures for visitors of all ages.
Peel L&P acquired Barton Square in May 2021 following its revamp in 2019, gaining a glass-domed roof, the installation of 33 intricately painted Roman inspired murals, 120 statues, a magnificent central fountain plus a new floor adding extra leisure and retail space.
Diverse and inclusive experiences and adventures
Linked to the Trafford Centre via a bridge, the new owners set out to create a new inspirational and aspirational brand to complement the grandeur of the building and its décor.
Trafford Palazzo represents not only a new identity but a unified purpose and vision to evolve the brand into a completely unique and standalone retail and leisure destination offering diverse and inclusive experiences and adventures.
The brand name reflects the Italian-themed aesthetics and signals an innovative approach to align the company’s philosophy and commitment to making a social and economic impact on the communities and businesses that operate within Trafford Palazzo.
Attracting new brands
Four new flagship brands have been secured: NERF Action, fast-food restaurant Archies, state of the art bowling alley King Pins, and entrepreneur Steve Pilling’s new Italian restaurant, Matterello.
NERF Action and Archies is scheduled to open in 2023 and will be the first NERF Experience site in the UK.
King Pins is opening in early 2023 featuring 15 lanes of state-of-the-art tenpin bowling, six lanes of duckpin bowling, a focal point bar serving 20 different beers and a substantial cocktail menu. The venue will also host a 26-metre digital screen across the bowling lanes, the first of its kind in the UK.
Italian restaurant Matterello launched in May 2022 taking 2,454 sq ft of space. The food and beverage provider serves authentic Italian cuisine as well as offering a selection of experiential events such as on-site pasta making classes. Dishes on the menu include marinated squid, fetuccine plus a variety of delicious desserts.
Exciting events and memorable experiences
The team has also introduced a series of memorable experiences within the vast mall space.
Kicking off with a launch extravaganza that featured a full weekend of activations with aerial artists, live performers and statues plus the Trafford Palazzo Show which saw powerhouse vocalists from opera to pop, energetic dance performances, a stunning orchestra of strings, mesmerising acrobats and performers take to the stage.
Events and celebrations have included various fundraisers for charities including Bolton Lads and Girls Club, an appeal for Ukraine, events celebrating the Queens Jubilee, a fundraising event for Baby Loss Awareness Week and a campaign to support Mental Health Awareness Week.
The spectacular backdrop of Trafford Palazzo has provided the space to host several events across the school holidays aimed at families including an Easter Extravaganza, a bespoke Wellness Month of wellbeing activities, a Christmas Winter Wonderland and has as a jam-packed summer schedule.
A platform for local entrepreneurs
As part of this wide events programme, Peel L&P has also given a platform to local, young, aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners with pop-up opportunities offered free of charge. Businesses have included Manchester Gymnastics, instagram and Manchester favourite Feel Good Club and, The Juice Hub who saw record numbers of visitors to the pop up.
Trafford Palazzo’s growing range of shopping and leisure brands include Primark, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre, SEA LIFE, Silentnight, Homesense, Natuzzi, Shoeaholics and Next Home.
The team has also expanded it’s customer service and security operations with a dedicated on-site customer services team and new desk to answer any queries for customers and ensure top levels of service at all times.
