There’s a Pokémon art trail and treasure hunt-style event taking over the Trafford Centre in just a few weeks time.
And the best part? It’s absolutely free to get involved with.
As part of a brand-new partnership with the Trafford Centre, the Pokémon Company International introduced its new interactive event at an artistically-inspired reveal over the weekend, and now, the company has announced that a special treasure hunt will take place at the shopping centre next month.
‘Pokémon: Art Through the Ages’ will take over the Trafford Centre from 17 October, and run right through until 13 November.
Those who head on down to the Stretford-based shopping mall will get to discover hidden art of the 151 Pokémon that were originally discovered in the Kanto region through an interactive trail – which event organisers say showcases “a wide variety of artistic techniques and styles” from across the ages.
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There’ll be cave paintings, stained glass, and more for families and Pokémon fans of all ages to enjoy free of charge.
Not only that, but there’ll also be 10 hidden oil paintings for visitors to seek out too, which each have a secret code on them to unscramble, and those who successfully unscramble the code will then get to get their hands on a free limited-edition, double-sided poster from GAME.
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Fans will even be able flex their creative skills at the Main Stage area in the Orient, where there’ll be special art workshops designed especially for kids.
If you fancy taking a break from art hunting, then you can meet Pikachu on the new Pokémon Bus instead and make the most all of the fantastic photo opportunities, or watch Pokémon movies and episodes of the Pokémon animated series, and grab a booklet full of additional activities to complete at your own leisure.
Even more goodies will also be up for grabs throughout the event too, including a certificate for finding all 151 Kanto Pokémon.
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Speaking ahead of the start of the new event, Peter Murphy – Senior Director of Marketing at The Pokémon Company International – said: “We are thrilled to announce such a creative partnership with Trafford Centre.
‘Pokémon: Art Through the Ages’ will take over the Trafford Centre from 17 October / Credit: Trafford Centre
“Exploration is an element which is key to Pokémon, and we can’t wait for kids and families to embark on their own journey to complete the Kanto Pokédex and see Pokémon depicted in such unique art styles.”
“When initially sourcing a suitable location for this fantastic event, the Pokémon team were inspired by the unique architecture that is iconic of Trafford Centre,” added Bruce Gardner – Brand Experience Director at Trafford Centre.
“We have worked collaboratively with Pokémon, our Partners such as Transport for Greater Manchester, Clear Channel and our retailers to ensure Pokémon fans can escape the ordinary and experience a unique, memorable and fun-filled day out.
“We can’t wait.”
Featured Image – Trafford Centre
News
The shortlist for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards has been revealed
Danny Jones
The shortlisted nominees for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award (SPOTY) have been revealed, including one notable nearby name.
The question is, who do you fancy most for it this time around?
After Atherton’s very own Keely Hodgkinson claimed it last year, we were naturally hoping another Greater Manchester native would win it once again.
While we haven’t quite got what we wished for, you could say we’ve got the next best thing, as a fellow North West name has been nominated.
🗣️ REVEALED!
The 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year contenders are:
A short train ride away to Cheshire, and being a big Man United fan basically counts, if you ask us.
Yes, Warrington’s very own Luke Littler has been named on the shortlist for the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year, quite literally 12 months from his previous nomination.
Littler, who is still only 18, did go on to win the 2024 Young SPOTY last December – a very decent consolation prize following his blockbuster debut year or so – but he has been tipped as a bookies’ favourite this time around.
He’s also been voted for that award again this year, so you’d hope he’d be walking away with at least one of the trophies, though it’d be far from his only one of late.
Since then, the young sporting prodigy has gone on to win all but two of the 10 PDC majors, including two Premier League Darts titles.
In fact, if you want to look at how his arrival onto the senior professional darts circuit breaks down, you can take a gander at the frankly staggering stats behind his breakthrough down below.
As you can see, other nominees include former Manchester City Women’s star Chloe Kelly and Lioness, Hannah Hampton; rugby union and national team member, Ellie Kildunne, F1 favourite Lando Norris, as well as Irish golfer, Rory McIlroy (not for the first time).
We’ll confess we’re very much biased and backing local lad Littler – sue us.
The other Young SPOTY nominees for 2025 include another rising England star in Michelle Agyemang and Northern Superchargers cricket talent, Davina Perrin.
Being hosted over at MediaCityUK in Salford once again, voting will take place during the show on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer on Thursday, 18 December.
Manchester residents urged to have their say on want they want the Council to invest in next year
Emily Sergeant
Residents in Manchester are being urged to have their say on what they want to Council to invest in next year.
Manchester City Council has this week launched a consultation for its upcoming 2026/7 budget, and is asking the people of Manchester what their priorities are for investment in services in the new year.
For those who hadn’t heard, the Government is introducing fairer funding for Councils, which recognises that areas with more challenges need more money – Manchester being one of them – and although final details of the Council’s financial settlement will not be received until later this month, it does mean that it’s anticipated there’ll be more funding available than previously expected.
As well as protecting vital frontline services with the upcoming budget, the Council says it will also have some scope to invest in ‘making Manchester better’.
Whether this would be improving street cleaning services, supporting youth services and community groups, extending library opening hours, or a variety of other services, the Council says it’s aiming to build on the strong progress made in recent years.
While extra funding will make ‘a very real difference’, the Council says it still has a duty to plan carefully and ensure its impacts are maximised.
Ongoing value for money and service transformation measures will work to reduce and avoid costs, as it ‘makes sense’ to do this anyway – but crucially, every pound saved will be reinvested in services.
Manchester residents are being urged to have their say on want they want the Council to invest in next year / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
“How we allocate budgets for our services has long been guided by what Manchester people have told us about their priorities for themselves, their families and friends, their neighbourhoods and their city,” explained Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, who is the Executive Member for Finance at Manchester City Council.
“As we begin to build back, restoring some of the things which had to be cut previously and looking to the future, we need to hear people’s views again.
“These will shape the final package of proposals for 2026/27.”
Council Leader Bev Craig added: “Crucially, the fact that we will get a three-year financial settlement from Government rather than year-by-year settlements as has previously been the case, means we can plan ahead with real confidence.”
Want to take part in the consultation? The consultation is now live and runs until 5pm on 28 January 2026. You can either find out more and complete it online here, or paper copies of the consultation are also available in libraries across the city.
Emily Sergeant -
26th September 2022 
