The Trafford Centre has issued advice to shoppers planning on visit the mall when it reopens after England’s national lockdown on Wednesday.
The popular shopping centre is asking visitors to plan ahead of their visit next month.
With the festive season fast approaching, the Trafford Centre is expecting to see an influx of shoppers looking to get their hands on gifts for their loved ones and tick off their Christmas lists early, so is therefore urging visitors to consider visiting the centre during quieter periods, which are generally earlier in the day and later in the evening.
The quietest shopping times are expected to be posted weekly via the Trafford Centre’s social channels.
A number of essential stores have remained open throughout the duration of the second lockdown, along with several hospitality establishments to provide takeout services, but all retailers are due to reopen from 10am on Wednesday 2nd December.
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Some larger stores, including Selfridges, Debenhams, John Lewis, Boots, Primark and M&S, will open an hour earlier at 9am.
Primark will trade from 7am on 2nd December until normal closing time on 3rd December too.
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Speaking ahead of the centre reopening, Zoe Inman – Centre Director at The Trafford Centre – said: “It’s been an unusual year, but Christmas is still the highlight in our calendar, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back on Wednesday 2nd December.
“Since the start of this pandemic, we’ve had robust and adaptable plans to ensure the safety of everyone who visits and works at The Trafford Centre, and these strong safety measures will continue as non-essential retail opens again [but] we would recommend visitors spend a few minutes planning their visit to ensure they have the best experience possible.
“We know the Christmas season is going to be different this year, but we’d like to thank everyone in advance for doing their part.”
To help “make the centre a safe place for all”, the Trafford Centre asks that visitors remember to always follow marked routes and visit with their household / social bubble only.
Everyone that visits the centre, whether that’s to work or shop, will need to wear a face covering too.
The Trafford Centre defines a face covering as “something which safely covers the nose and mouth” and visitors can use reusable or single-use face coverings, as well as also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering, but these must all securely fit round the side of the face.
To ensure safe social distancing, the centre will be observing capacity limits and this means that customers may be asked to queue outdoors during busier periods and are advised to dress appropriately for the winter weather.
A number of car parks and entrances will also remain closed to help manage capacity.
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Enhanced hygiene regimes will continue, with regular deep cleaning of key areas and touchpoints like escalators, toilets and keypads, and hand sanitation stands will also remain at entrances and throughout the centre.
The COVID-safety measures are hoped to “provide all visitors with additional reassurance” and further information can be found here.
Opening Times
Monday – Friday: 10am – 10pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm
You can find more information ahead of visit via the Trafford Centre website here.
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Rare picture of David Bowie’s legendary one-off gig in Stockport unearthed
Danny Jones
A rare picture taken from the night of the late, great David Bowie’s legendary one-off gig in Stockport has been unearthed by a local whilst digging through his loft.
Imagine having that kind of history just squirrelled away in an attic…
As revealed by Stockport Music Story, after being supplied with the image by David Maynard, the snap was shared more than half a century on from the much-mythologised moment in Greater Manchester music history.
In fact, it was put on display and posted on social media quite literally 56 years to the day since Bowie played his only Stopfordian set on 27 April, 1970.
Maynard himself is featured in the newly discovered photograph (second from the left) and was one of the select and lucky few who were in the room for that very special show.
Organised by a group of teens on behalf of the Stockport Schools’ Students’ Union, the performance took place at the long-gone Poco a Poco music venue and club over in Heaton Chapel.
The storied space hosted many big names over the years – Gerry Marsden, Freddie Starr, Hank Marvin and more – but sadly closed in May of 1987 following a fire.
It went on to become the popular Hinds Head pub, which still serves punters to this day, but once had the honour of hosting a true artistic great and British icon.
For anyone wondering, this is indeed the same night on which David Robert Jones (yes, that’s Bowie‘s full birth name) missed his train home and had to sleep on the railway platform.
Here’s a BBC segment covering the tale back on its 55th anniversary in April 2025.
It may be a small and somewhat curious claim to fame, but native love the legend of it all nonetheless.
As for the other individuals pictured alongside him, Stockport Music Story (SMS) said: “The names of the people we know are David Maynard (2nd left), Roz Wood (3rd left), David Bowie, Bill Frost (2nd right), Stewart Rigby (right).”
They go on to add: “It would be amazing to find out who the other people in the photograph are and what they remember from that night.” We sincerely hope they do.
You can now see the plaque up close and personal at Stockport Station for yourselves and as for SMS’s growing archive of the region’s creative culture, you can find out tonnes more about other pieces of SK heritage right HERE.
Featured Images — David Maynard via Stockport Music Story/Stockport Council
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Manchester’s cross club running social returns for 2026 and biggest summer party yet
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s now annual cross club running social is BACK for 2026, and 2026 is set to be the biggest to date, making the most of the summer vibes.
We’re already getting very excited for this one.
The Cross Club Social (CCS) first began in 2023 and continues to grow each year, with the organisers continuing to push the budget right to its limits in order to bring the Manc running community one big, beautiful and utterly brilliant bash.
Booking larger venues and putting together an even better schedule each and every year, marathon season is done for most of you – now it’s time to give yourselves a proper, well-deserved break.
Set up by local runners and DJs turned summer social specialists, Dave ‘Macca’ McLaughlin and Sophie ‘DG’ de Greenlaw, the upcoming Cross Club Social is the fourth edition of what has now become the go-to post-race season party.
Toasting not just everyone’s incredible achievements following the likes of the Manchester and London Marathons, but also celebrating the local running culture and various clubs as a whole, it really is the perfect opportunity to reap the rewards after months of training – i.e. with lots of drinks and dancing.
With help this year from Manchester Road Runners‘ (MRR) very own social secretary, Gemma Moore, the programming and full schedule looks more jam-packed than ever, with live sets from both Macca and DG, karaoke, a big pub quiz, giveaways and more.
In fact, there’s even set to be tiny talks, panels and other mini-mixers within the event itself.
Now spread across three whole rooms at Fairfield Social Club over in the Green Quarter, there’s room for all kinds of fun to be had.
Before we go any further, it’s also worth mentioning that this small setup is only run by a few, very dedicated and passionate people who love two things: running and partying, which is what makes their charitable efforts even more moving.
As it has done in the past, CCS ’26 will be teaming up with The 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness, who raise money for the region’s homeless population on behalf of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, amassing well over £70k last year alone.
That being said, part of your already very reasonable ticket price goes towards supporting this cause, with early bird tickets priced at just £11.25 (including booking fees), the second release for £13.45, and the final batch still only £15.65.
With lots of clubs already signed up to take part, including MRR, Run MCR, Ancoats Run Club, Levy Runners, Run The Streets – who’ll be hosting an optional social 5k to start the day – and many more, if you’re a runner based in the area, you don’t want to miss this one.
Once again, they’ve got the full venue to themselves all day long, and everyone is welcome; you can secure your spot at Cross Club Social 4 right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
30th November 2020 
