Trafford Centre is turning 25 years old this month.
The UK’s third-largest shopping centre has been a one-stop-shop for Greater Manchester residents, and people visiting the region alike for well over two decades now, with millions of shoppers making their way through the doors and leaving with something new in hand throughout the years.
So what better way to mark this major milestone birthday than with a proper musical celebration? How does an hour-long gig full of feel-good throwback tunes sound? Even better if we said it’ll headlined by iconic 90s pop girlband B*Witched?
What about if we said it’s completely FREE too? Well now it’s unmissable, if you ask us.
B*Witched to headline FREE gig to celebrate the Trafford Centre’s 25th birthday / Credit: Adrien Welch | B*Witched
Just as known and loved for their iconic double denim looks as they are their smash-hit singles, including ‘Blame It On the Weatherman’, ‘To You I Belong’, and of course, ‘C’est La Vie’, the Irish quartet are also celebrating their 25 anniversary this year, just like the Trafford Centre, so it it’s even more of a reason to celebrate.
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Organisers at the Trafford Centre say the event will “journey through the decades” and “take a look back at the very best of fashion, pop culture and music over the last 25 years and beyond”, all before taking a glimpse into what the future of fashion might hold.
As well as B*Witched’s headline slot, the feel-good family show – which will be hosted by radio presenter Chelsea Norris – will also feature some incredible dance acts, dynamic and energetic cheer routines from local cheerleading group Electric Athletes, archive video footage, and iconic fashion and music from across the decades.
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The Endless Fashion Event will celebrate 25 years of the Greater Manchester shopping centre / Credit: Trafford Centre
“As Trafford Centre marks its 25th birthday, we are embracing our heritage, relishing in our present and looking excitedly ahead to our future,” explained the Trafford Centre’s Director, Simon Layton, ahead of the upcoming show.
“For 25 years, we’ve been a beacon of fashion excellence and style, with people flocking from far and wide to shop the biggest fashion brands, using the Trafford Centre as their own catwalk.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we want to continue that legacy of inspiring future generations to embrace their individual style – whatever the future of fashion may hold.”
The Endless Fashion Event is taking place in The Orient on Friday 29 September from 7pm, while the show is free, people are being advised to arrive early if they want to secure a guaranteed spot in the audience.
Chester Zoo announces new spring date for its popular running event to help UK wildlife
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has announced that its popular Run For Nature is back again this year, and this time, there’s a new spring edition.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo seen success with this event in the past few years, with thousands of runners signing up for one of the North West’s most unique athletic experiences and all funds raised going towards efforts to protect highly-endangered giraffes in Africa.
This year though, the much-loved event’s focus brings conservation ‘a little closer to home’ and will protect some of the UK’s most threatened species instead – with all funds helping to safeguard hedgehogs, kingfishers, otters, harvest mice, and more.
It comes as the UK is currently considered one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.
Participants will first get to wind through the zoo and enjoy glimpses of elephants, lemurs, and other incredible species along the way, before heading out into the picturesque Cheshire countryside.
Adults can choose from a 10K or 5K route, while younger runners are invited to take part in a one-mile ‘Zoom’ race, open to children aged four-15, which takes place entirely within the zoo’s incredible 130-acre grounds.
All runners will receive free entry to the zoo for the rest of the day as part of their registration, along with a 25% discount for friends and family who come along to show support.
Chester Zoo’s popular 10K charity run is returns with a new spring date / Credit: Chester Zoo
Lorraine Jubb, who is the Fundraising Lead at Chester Zoo, called the Run For Nature a ‘really special event’.
“In previous years, runners have already supported conservation efforts for Asian elephants, Eastern black rhinos and Northern giraffe,” she explained. This springtime though, we’re turning our attention much closer to home in the UK, and to the wildlife we share our gardens, parks and countryside with.
“With one in six species now at risk of extinction in the UK, every runner will be playing a vital role in helping us protect animals and supporting our growing nature recovery work across right across Cheshire.
Run For Nature will take place on the new springtime date of Sunday 29 March 2026, and there’s 3,000 places to sign up for.
You can find out more and register on the Chester Zoo website here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Salford is celebrating 100 years of being its own city with FREE community events throughout 2026
Emily Sergeant
Salford is marking 100 years of city status this year, and to celebrate is launching a programme of free community events.
The city-wide celebrations – which are set to weave in the true character of the city and its communities – will launch on 21 April to coincide with the date Salford was officially granted city status in 1926, and they will run throughout the year culminating in a spectacular finale moment in the autumn.
Salford City Council has appointed renowned creative organisations Walk the Plank and From The Other as co-creative producers for the programme.
The partnership will explore the past, celebrate the present, and imagine the future through a cultural programme spread across all eight neighbourhoods in Salford.
Salford gained city status 100 years ago — it’s time to celebrate 🙌
From a monumental living portrait of the city projected onto local buildings in Salford Everywhere, to Songs of Salford where emerging and established musical collaborators are brought together, and The Wagon Train, a pop-up festival shaped by each neighbourhood it visits, each event is set to amplify the city’s cultural community.
The programme is also hoping to help ensure the arts and world-class culture is accessible to all.
“We’re immensely proud of Salford’s thriving cultural sector and it’s fantastic that two of our most renowned cultural organisations will be delivering the Salford Centenary Cultural Programme,” commented Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett.
Salford is celebrating 100 years of being its own city with free community events / Credit: Chris Payne | Walk The Plank (Supplied)
“Both organisations bring a wealth of experience, creativity and unrivalled local knowledge to this project, and I’m extremely excited to experience the unique activities they will deliver as part of our centenary year.
“2026 promises to be a truly special year for the city, with this cultural programme at the heart of the celebrations.”
Emily Sergeant -
5th September 2023 
