The opening date of a massive new M&S store with a “market-style” foodhall at the Trafford Centre has officially been confirmed.
After it was revealed all the way back in January that the retailer would be relocating from its old unit and taking over the former Debenhams site inside the Greater Manchester shopping mall, the date that the brand-new M&S ‘mega store’ will finally open its doors at the Trafford Centre has now officially been confirmed.
And it’ll be in business just in time for Christmas, so shoppers can get stuck in to buying all their festive food and gifts before the big day arrives.
Opening as part of M&S‘ ongoing plans and wider investment to regenerate vacant sites in major UK shopping centres, the new M&S Trafford Centre store spans across a whopping 98,000 sq ft of commercial space.
A massive new M&S store is opening inside the old Debenhams site at the Trafford Centre this month / Credit: M&S
Shoppers are being told to prepare themselves for an even bigger and better store, with “spacious and stylish” new Clothing, Home, and Beauty departments, a brand-new M&S Cafe, and the star of the show being the all-new foodhall.
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Aiming to “appeal to local families”, customers at the new Trafford Centre store will be able to browse in “wider, brighter aisles” and with “a clear line of sight across the store”.
The new market-style foodhall will stock the full M&S Food range, and there’ll also be free designated car parking to make shopping “more convenient”.
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The new M&S Trafford Centre store will open on Thursday 30 November.
Speaking ahead of the new store opening, Store Manager Laura Smith, who’s worked for M&S for 25 years now, said: “We are really excited to announce that the new M&S Trafford Centre store will open on November 30th, and I can’t wait to welcome the local community to visit the store later this month to see it all for themselves.
“Whether you’re looking for a big family food shop, the latest autumn / winter styles from our Clothing, Home and Beauty departments, or a mid-shop pit stop in our amazing new M&S Café, we’ve got you covered.”
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There’ll be a huge ‘market-style’ foodhall, new cafe, clothing department, and more / Credit: Trafford Centre
The opening of the new Trafford Centre store comes after M&S has also opened a number of other new foodhalls this year as part of its aim to deliver 100 “bigger, better food stores”.
180 new jobs will also be created by the opening of the new store, with staff at M&S’ existing Trafford Centre store transferring over to the new location once it opens at the end of the month.
Featured Image – M&S
Shopping
Trafford Centre announces opening hours for 2025/26 festive season – including Boxing Day
Emily Sergeant
Trafford Centre has published its full list of opening hours for this current festive season.
We all know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry, with people flocking to the shops in their millions to snap up festive gifts for their loved ones, and it only gets busier from Boxing Day onwards too when all the sales launch, offering shoppers some unmissable deals and bargains.
And nowhere in Greater Manchester gets busier during the festive season than the Trafford Centre. After all, with more than 200 stores all under one room, it’s not hard to see why.
This year, shoppers can make the most of extended opening hours at the Trafford Centre right through to New Year’s Day – with late night shopping until 11pm on selected dates in December leading up to the big day.
Alongside being a one-stop-shop for gifts, there’s also dozens of festive events and new Christmas lights to enjoy at the Trafford Centre too, so visitors can tick everything off their list and have a great day out while they’re at it.
The shopping centre will be open from 9am – 5pm on Christmas Eve, so you can whip round and grab any last-minute presents, before it’s closed fully on Christmas Day, and then opens again bright and early at 8am on Boxing Day.
Trafford Centre Christmas Opening Hours 2025/26
18 and 19 December: 10am – 11pm
20 December: 10am – 10pm
21 December: 12pm – 6pm
22 and 23 December: 10am – 11pm
Christmas: 9am – 5pm
Christmas Day: Closed
26 December: 8am – 8pm (some stores may be closed, please check with individual brands)
27 December: 10am – 9pm
28 December: 12pm – 6pm
29 and 30 December: 10pm – 10pm
New Year’s Eve: 9am – 5pm
New Year’s Day: 12pm – 6pm
It’s also worth noting, however, that not every store inside the Trafford Centre will be open on Boxing Day, so you’ll need to check with individual brands ahead of time.
For the restaurants, stores, and leisure venues that are open, you can check their specific trading hours on the Trafford Centre website here.
When it comes to festive event, The Grotto is open until Christmas Eve for pre-bookings only, and the Christmas fairground and ice rink, Big Wheel, and Gandeys Snowstorm Firebird show are all open until 4 January (closed Christmas Day).
Featured Image – Trafford Centre (Supplied)
Shopping
Lidl reveals one of Manchester’s most-bought items in new ‘Lidl Wrapped’
Daisy Jackson
Lidl has unveiled the most-bought items in each major city around the UK, launching its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ to share the nation’s shopping habits.
The supermarket chain has gathered data on the most purchased items from 10 cities around the country, to see what the top sellers in each city has been this year.
You might be expecting a clean sweep of boring stuff like milk and bread – but no, apparently Manchester has been obsessed with… avocados.
According to Lidl Wrapped, Manchester has developed an avocado obsession, while Leeds residents have collectively purchased more than 133 million peas, and Bristol has invested in 11 tonnes-worth of coleslaw.
To celebrate the Lidl Wrapped for 2025, the supermarket is now rolling out its own wrapping paper range, and opening free gift-wrapping stations at 10 stores nationwide.
Between the 4 and 17 December, you’ll be able to have your shopping wrapped up in Manchester’s exclusive design (which, yes, will have avocados on it) so your Middle of Lidl find can switch into the perfect present.
The pop-up gift-wrapping stations will also have interactive games with prizes, like in-store discounts and a £50 golden ticket.
Lidl reveals most-bought item in Manchester in new ‘Lidl Wrapped’. Credit: Lidl
You can also buy the wrapping paper in packs of three for just 75p, with all proceeds donated to Neighbourly.
Joanna Gomer, Marketing Director at Lidl GB commented: “This year, our customers have shown us once again that the weekly shop is about more than groceries, it’s about moments, surprises, and the little joys that make life easier and bring people together.
“Looking ahead to 2026, we’re focused on giving our customers even more to value, extra reasons to smile, and plenty of those Lidl surprises that keep them coming back for more.”
The free Lidl wrapping stations will be available from 9am while stocks last between 4 and 17 December.
‘Lidl Wrapped’ top groceries across the UK:
Birmingham – Roses
Bristol – Deluxe Creamy Coleslaw
Cardiff – 15 Welsh Mixed Weight Free Range Eggs
Edinburgh – Lighthouse Bay 2 Scottish Salmon Fillets
Emily Sergeant -
14th November 2023 
