A man visiting the Trafford Centre for the first time has said he’s been left ‘bewildered’ by the huge Greater Manchester shopping destination.
In a hilarious video titled ‘the least tired shopping centre in the UK’, vlogger and content creator MC said that the retail giant looks like ‘Tutankhamun’s secret lair’.
In the TikTok post, he films himself walking around the shops slack-jawed saying he feels ‘like I’m in Dubai or something’.
Us Mancs who have grown up going to the Trafford Centre probably forget how out-of-the-ordinary it actually is, from the food court that looks like a cruise ship to the palm trees to the fountains to the marble-esque pillars.
MC spends a bit of time ogling at the fountains, comparing the benches to a ‘throne’, and even stroking the plants to see if they’re real (they are).
He also said that the Trafford Centre has made it ‘unfair’ for the other shopping centres, setting the bar too high.
He said: “Now Manchester, I can’t like, I feel like you owe us, and by us I mean the rest of the UK, an explanation. Because why does your shopping centre look like this, bro? What?!
“Bro I’m absolutely bewildered, this is like I’m in Dubai or something bro.
“Like bro you can’t tell me this don’t look like Tutankhamun’s lair has moved all the way up to the north bro.
“Why don’t we have nowt like this in London? I’m telling you right now, try going to a shopping centre in London, you’ll find Westfield, Stratford.
“Sat on this bench in the middle of the shopping centre, looking at this, I feel like I’m on a throne.
“Is no one else seeing this? They have a waterfall in the middle of a shopping centre, this is not normal behaviour!
“These trees, they’re all real you know! It’s all in real soil.
“They did too much when they made this shopping centre, come on, this is unfair for the rest of them.”
At the end of the TikTok, he spots the Trafford Palazzo – home to Primark as well as attractions like Archie’s Atomic roller rink and the NERF Experience, and says: “Bro and I’m not even done! There’s even another shopping centre! Now what is this place?!”
One person commented: “trafford centre and is just pure nostalgia to me, titanic food court, twinkling stars in the ceiling, dolphin fountain, i remember being a kid when it was being built and being like, bruh.”
Another wrote: “Trafford centre has no right being as good as it is and we’re not even mentioning the fact that it has a cruise themed food court or that a giant waterpark is being built next door.”
Someone else said: “The Trafford Centre fr the reason every other shopping centre is dying i swear.”
Do you remember your first trip to the Trafford Centre?
Greggs brings back popular Vegan Steak Bake under ‘fresh’ new name
Emily Sergeant
Greggs has announced that one of its most popular bakes is making a comeback after unprecedented fan demand.
Veggies and vegans, happy Friday… this one’s for you.
As any fan of the popular bakery will tell you, the Steak Bake is an absolute staple of the Greggs menu, and is undoubtedly one of the chain’s best-sellers, meaning it’s been a mainstay in stores for years on end now… but sadly, the same couldn’t be said about the plant-based alternative.
In case you don’t quite remember its release, or didn’t get a chance to try it the first time round, the Vegan Steak Bake is exactly what it says on the tin – a vegan version of the iconic Steak Bake.
First launched to mark Veganuary – which is an annual challenge to promote and educate about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January – all the way back in 2020, the Vegan Steak Bake joined the chain’s popular, and still existing, Vegan Sausage Roll to form part of its growing meat-free lineup.
The Vegan Steak Bake was created to mirror some of the original pasty’s features, according to Greggs.
It featured thin layers of puff pastry, and a filling made with pieces of Quorn instead of beef, all mixed in with diced onions and a meat-free gravy.
While the bake seemed to be a hit with vegans, vegetarians, and those who just fancied a meat-free alternative to their day, and even made a short-lived return again in early 2024, it sadly didn’t stick around for too long.
Greggs has announced the return of the popular Vegan Steak Bake / Credit: Greggs
But now, it looks like it’s time for a Vegan Steak Bake comeback again in 2025 – and this time, it’s got a slightly new name and a ‘fresh’ look.
Greggs wrote on its website ahead of the Vegan Steak Bake return: “What’s the big deal?” you might ask. In our humble opinion, tasty steak-free pieces mixed with diced onions and a vegan-friendly gravy is the absolute biggest of deals.
“It’s vegan, it’s incredibly delicious and it’s yours from just £2.10. What more do you need?”
The Vegan Lattice (Steak-Free), as it’s now called, is apparently still ‘super tasty’, despite being named something different.
It’s available to order from all Greggs sites across the UK now.
Featured Image – Greggs
Shopping
Popeyes to give out FREE viral chicken sandwiches when it opens in Manchester Arndale next week
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is getting another new Popeyes next week, and this time it’s coming to the city’s biggest shopping centre.
New Orleans-born fried chicken restaurant, Popeyes® UK, has finally announced the launch date of its newest Manchester restaurant at Halle Place, on the Lower Ground of Manchester Arndale, making it the third location for the city and the chain’s 33rd opening in total this year.
Popeyes has become known for its round-the-block queues on opening day – with both the Manchester Piccadilly and Bury New Road launches attracting hundreds for their first bite of the legendary Chicken Sandwich.
This is why a ‘show-stopping’ launch day is planned for the new Arndale site when it opens from 11am next Friday (29 August), and there’ll be loads of giveaways for shoppers to get their teeth stuck into.
On opening day, not only the first three customers win the ultimate prize of free Chicken Sandwiches for a full year, but the first 50 customers in the queue will be treated to exclusive Popeyes UK merchandise and the first 100 people will bag themselves a free Chicken Sandwich.
With both dine-in and speedy takeaway options available, fried chicken lovers will soon be able to enjoy Popeyes favourites, like the iconic Chicken Sandwich, Hot Wings, Tenders, and Signature Chicken Wraps, when it opens at the Arndale.
All of Popeyes’ chicken is marinated for 12 hours in its signature blend of bold Louisiana seasoning, before it’s hand-breaded and battered to deliver that famous ‘shatter-crunch’.
Popeyes is opening its third Manchester site in the Arndale next week / Credit: The Manc Group
The new Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich will also be available from opening day, following huge demand from fans for its return to the menu.
The Sandwich is joined by the return of the bigger-than-ever Hot Honey range, featuring the brand-new Hot Honey Saucin’ Boneless, the comeback of Hot Honey Saucin’ Wings, and the Hot Honey Box Meal.
“The response to our first two Manchester restaurants has been incredible, and we’re sure our new Arndale location will be just as popular,” commented Tom Crowley, who is the Popeyes UK CEO, ahead of next week’s opening.
“The new opening marks an exciting step in our growth across the city, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests to experience the spirit of New Orleans.”
To be in with a chance of chomping down on a legendary Popeyes Chicken Sandwich for free of charge, you’ll want to make sure you’re one of the first 100 in the queue on Arndale launch day.
Popeyes opens its third Manchester site at Manchester Arndale next Friday 29 August at 11am.
Daisy Jackson -
12th January 2025 
