DISCLAIMER: This article was published for April Fool’s Day (April 1).
The Trafford Centre has long been a go-to shopping destination for many Mancs as well as for visitors from afar, however the venue has announced that it will be closing its doors later this year. Opening back in 1998, the UK’s third largest retail space is expected to be demolished and then transformed into a cluster of brand new apartment blocks, which will be built in phases.
Plans, which are yet to be unveiled, are being designed by architects BSDesigns and will see the largest of the apartment blocks situated where the Great Hall currently is. The designs consist of four apartment blocks ranging from 18 to 22 floors, with a mix of two-bedroom, one-bedroom apartments and studios. Designers hope to retain some of the elements of the Trafford Centre such as the floor tiles, pillars, chandeliers and fountains, which will mainly feature in the reception areas and some studio apartments.
The roof of The Dome is expected to remain intact and the area will become a public space linking to all four apartment blocks and will include bench-style seating, plants and flower beds and a copper statue in the centre. The statue will be made from reclaimed 1p and 2p coins, most of which have been derived from the numerous pennies thrown into the pool that used to be located in the Orient.
Leading the redevelopment of the Trafford Centre are developers A.P & Fool, headed up by director Joseph King, who said: “At first it might seem like a blow for the people of Manchester to lose their favourite shopping centre, however, this is an opportunity to make way for more housing in the Trafford area.
“We can’t wait to get started on this exciting project and we’re making it our mission to retain as many of the elements we know and love about the Trafford Centre within these brand new apartments. We plan to name each apartment block after all the areas in the Manchester shopping centre such as The Orient, Regent Crescent, Peel Avenue and Barton Arcade, to offer a bit of nostalgia to our future residents.”
Plans are currently being reviewed by the local council, however, if approved developers expect the first phase to be complete by the end of 2024. Reckon they’ll bring back the pool? 😅
DISCLAIMER: This article has been published for April Fool’s Day (April 1) and the news of the Trafford Centre closing down is false.