Manchester

Inside the new supersized Zara store that’s just opened in the Trafford Centre

Take all of our money.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 7th August 2025

The new Zara has finally opened inside the Trafford Centre, and it’s even bigger and better than we could’ve imagined.

Back in April, the shopping centre signed a deal with Inditex for the new supersized Zara store that would occupy its own flagship space on Peel Avenue.

The Spanish fast fashion brand is famed for its affordable trend-led fashions which you’ll find in abundance at the new space which covers over 3,000 square meters across one single level.

It’s the very first concept store of its kind in the UK, featuring technology like you’ve never seen before. 

Images: Supplied

Customers can interact with the brand in-store or via zara.com and the Zara app, enabling real-time inventory browsing, quick product location, and online order pickup.

Created by Zara’s Architecture Studio, the space has been redesigned to offer an elevated experience and is absolutely stunning.

Designed to be your personal stylist, the store features a series of interconnected rooms where each showcases its own curated identity – so you don’t have to go far to find the perfect fit. 

Images: Supplied

To celebrate the opening, collections have even been advanced to the Trafford Centre before hitting the rails at any other Zara across the country.

From a dedicated shoe room and an adorable baby closet to an exclusive activewear department and fragrance room, there’s literally everything you could ever want to get you kitted out from head to toe. 

Say goodbye to queueing with heaps of hangers, because the changing rooms will practically deliver the clothes for you whilst you can fly through the payment process with the 37 assisted-checkouts. 

Images: Supplied

Every inch of the customer experience has been made as streamlined as possible, meaning you could be in and out in a matter of minutes without even having to speak to a member of staff.

But of course, there’ll be members of staff on hand wherever you may need from helping you find the perfect size in the changing rooms to assisting you with your returns.

It’s the best Zara we’ve ever stepped foot in, it’s like shopping in a space ship in the best way possible. 

Read more: Viral Manchester beauty brand P. Louise to open first ever flagship store in Trafford Palazzo

Featured image – Supplied

Manchester

Manchester Arndale is slashing prices on food and drink across the shopping centre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson HOP Vietnamese at Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale’s Summer Scran Fest is back – and that means there are some absolute bargains to be had on food and drink right across the shopping centre. 

Throughout the month of August, restaurants, cafes and kiosks within Manchester Arndale will be offering some serious offers and deals. 

This ranges from 25% off to buy-one-get-one-free deals, plus free meals for kids and plenty more. 

Venues taking part in the Summer Scran Fest include Archie’s, Subway, Barburrito, Pizza Hut, HOP Vietnamese, Michaels Coffee House and plenty more. 

And the leisure destinations within Manchester Arndale are getting stuck in too – think free drinks, combos and more at venues including King Pins and Urban Playground. 

There are plenty of Manchester-born businesses getting involved and offering bargains to us all, like Archie’s giving out free soft serve when you spend £10, Barburrito offering a £10 meal deal (burrito, tortilla chips and a soft drink), and Lazy Sundae giving a free scoop of ice cream with any large drink purchase. 

Big brand deals include a £5 meal deal at McDonald’s (4 Chicken McNuggets, Cheese burger or Mayo chicken; fries; and medium cold drink), and 25% off at Pizza Hut. 

There's 20% off at Sides in the Manchester Arndale Summer Scran Fest
There’s 20% off at Sides in the Manchester Arndale Summer Scran Fest
Lazy Sundae will do a free ice cream with a large drink purchase
Lazy Sundae will do a free ice cream with a large drink purchase

Then there are newcomers to Manchester Arndale taking part in the Summer Scran Fest. 

HOP, a new Vietnamese street food venue on Market Street, is doing 25% off, while Michaels Coffee House will knock ​​15% off their seasonal favourites like an Iced Maple Oat Matcha or an Iced Rose Coconut Matcha.

There’s also a 20% discount at Sides, the chicken shop backed by YouTube sensations Sidemen.

And as for leisure destinations –  Urban Playground is doing 18 Holes of putters tech-infused mini golf, plus any three small plates from The Butcher menu for £28.20.

Kind Pins has 20% off food and drink, and Immersive Gamebox will do 20% off plus a free drink when you book a 60 or 30 minute gaming session. 

Pick up a voucher booklet in the centre or download your offers from the Manchester Arndale website from 1 August.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Manchester

Council publishes list of central Manchester roads set to be resurfaced this summer

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A list of roads in Manchester that are set to be resurfaced before the summer is out has been published.

Manchester City Council recently asked residents in the region what their priorities were for their community and what issues they wanted to see tackled – and for many, the answer was the quality of the road surfaces.

Since then, the Council says it has been ‘engaged’ in a long-running programme of improvement works throughout the borough.

Now, with just over a month of the summer season left, it has been confirmed that some vital resurfacing works are due to start over the coming weeks in north and central Manchester, bringing a range of improvements to key district roads along with it.

First up, from Saturday 9 August, Hollinwood Avenue is to be resurfaced.

The Council has published a list of Manchester roads that are set to be resurfaced this summer / Credit: MJ Richardson (via Geograph)

Anticipated to take six weeks to complete, this work will be carried out during weekend closures from 8am-5pm, with the road remaining open during the working week.

The closure area will be between Greengates Roundabout and the Oldham boundary at Owler Lane, and a signed diversion route will be in place while work is carried out, and access for residents will be maintained at all times. 

Then, starting from Saturday 16 August, resurfacing works will begin on Moss Lane East, between Alexandra Road and Princess Road. 

Work will take place between 7am and 5pm on weekdays, and 8am and 5pm on weekends, and during the works, the road will be completely closed – with a signed diversion route in place and access for residents maintained. 

As always, disruption is expected and the public is encouraged to plan ahead / Credit: Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash)

These works are expected to take six weeks to complete, and as with all resurfacing projects, residents should expect some disruption and may need to plan ahead.

The Council is aiming to keep disruption to the public at a minimum, where possible.

“We know how important it is to our residents that key roads are well maintained, which is why were glad to be able to deliver this latest round of improvement works,” commented Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment, and Transport at Manchester City Council.

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“I’d like to thank people ahead of time for their patience during the course of these works and would advise them to check when closures will be in place and where the diversions are.”

You can find more information on the resurfacing works on the Council website here.

Featured Image – Pix4Free

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