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A new Halloween trail is taking over the hidden woods at the Trafford Centre

It comes from the creators of The Twilight Trail.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 20th September 2024

A brand-new Halloween trail will be leading people through an enchanted and haunted woodland this autumn – and it’s all taking place at Trafford Centre’s little-known Wilderspool Woods. 

The 4.5 acre hidden woodland in the grounds of the iconic shopping centre will be taken over by skeletons, bats, and all sorts of other spooky creatures.

But as the event comes from acclaimed The Twilight Trail at Mayfield Park, you’ll be sure to be more mesmerised than terrified. No blood-thirsty zombies here. 

There’ll be more than 100,000 lights illuminating a Skeleton Village, laser-filled gardens of mist, and a spooky soundtrack of otherworldly tunes curated by DJ Rasp.

Visitors will find supernatural surprises around every corner, whether it’s colourful bats soaring overhead or glowing LED eyes watching down from the treetops. 

The Halloween Trail will be suitable for all ages and will captivate audiences with the glittering light trail, interactive events, and a massive food and drink programme curated by Freight Island.

A new Halloween trail is taking over the hidden woods at the Trafford Centre. Credit: Supplied
A new Halloween trail is taking over the hidden woods at the Trafford Centre. Credit: Supplied
Decadent hot chocolates will be part of The Halloween Trail's Freight Island-curated food line-up. Credit: Supplied
Decadent hot chocolates will be part of The Halloween Trail’s Freight Island-curated food line-up. Credit: Supplied

As you creep and weave your way through the eerie Wilderspool Woods you’ll be able to pick and carve your own pumpkins, toast marshmallows, and throw some shapes at the skeleton disco. 

There’ll even be a skeleton petting zoo, a mysterious Haunted Hotel, and a creepy old-fashioned pub, Ye Olde Skeleton Arms, tucked away in the woods. 

The light installations brought to The Halloween Trail will include Helix, a floating ribbon of sparkling light that weaves through the forest, and The Twist, a psychedelic, corkscrew pathway of mesmerising lights. 

After making it through the mystical woodlands, visitors can feast on food from top traders including Voodoo Rays (22” New York-style pizzas), and Soft Boi (soft-serve ice cream). 

Formaggi by Lazy Tony’s will be warming up guests with loaded roasties, rich poutine, deep-fried mozzarella and Italian-American toasties, and there’s Cabin Chocolat for decadent hot chocolates topped with fluffy marshmallows, caramel, and sweets (plus a drop of booze for the grown-ups).

Heard, a new burger venture from two Michelin-starred chef Jordan Bailey of Ireland’s Aimsir, will also feature on the trail, whipping up a selection of smash burgers made with eco-friendly ingredients. 

Voodoo Rays will be one of the traders serving food at The Halloween Trail. Credit: The Manc Group
Voodoo Rays will be one of the traders serving food at The Halloween Trail. Credit: The Manc Group
Formaggio by Lazy Tony's will have loaded roasties and loads more. Credit: Supplied
Formaggio by Lazy Tony’s will have loaded roasties and loads more. Credit: Supplied

Free parking is available for all ticket holders, or there are easy public transport links via tram or bus along The Bee Network.

Dan Morris, co-founder of Trafford Trails, said: “We’re excited to reveal Wilderspool Wood as the location for this year’s Halloween Trail. 

“This hidden space offers the perfect setting for an immersive and exciting Halloween experience. With DJ Rasp’s soundtrack, stunning light displays, and some of the best food traders around, we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors of all ages for a great night out.”

Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, added: “We’re delighted to bring something new to Trafford this Halloween. Collaborating with Freight Island and other great partners, we’ve created an experience that promises to be a real treat for our visitors. We can’t wait to see Wilderspool Wood lit up at night.”

The Halloween Trail will run from Thursday 17 October to Sunday 3 November. 

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £8 for children, £10 for adults, and family tickets from £32 – you can grab yours here. 

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Featured image: Supplied

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Five reasons to live at New Maker Yards, Salford’s stunning canalside neighbourhood

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson New Maker Yards is a canalside neighbourhood in Sheffield

With new apartment blocks springing up all over Greater Manchester, it’s rare to find one with community spirit built-in – but we’ve found just the place. 

Just across the river from Manchester city centre, this canalside neighbourhood offers more than just its beautifully designed apartments and generous green spaces. New Maker Yards creates a community that values lifestyle, wellbeing and connection as much as the living spaces themselves. 

That means free events for residents, plenty of communal spaces, a gorgeous setting, and so much more. 

Here, you’ll find one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes available for rent, with pet-friendly pads, an on-site cafe, parking, and green spaces all available. It’s in a pretty enviable location, too. 

Here are five reasons to make New Maker Yards your next home. 

  1. Community

At New Maker Yards, you’re not just renting an apartment, you’re joining a neighbourhood with real community spirit. 

Large-scale free community events bring residents and locals together, like this summer’s Middlewood Locks Fest, which featured live music, food, rowing boats and a market right on the canals. 

The recent Sofar Sounds event saw the community curl up on beanbags to enjoy a completely free gig from up-and-coming local artists. 

Come winter, there’ll be a Christmas party, and all year round you’ll find monthly quiz nights, workshops, a book club, yoga, football, a run club, and pop-up events like sushi making and plant pot painting. 

  1. Location
Aviva Studios is a short walk from New Maker Yards
Aviva Studios is a short walk from New Maker Yards
New Maker Yards is just outside Manchester city centre
New Maker Yards is just outside Manchester city centre

Technically in Salford, but a stone’s throw away from Manchester city centre, New Maker Yards blends convenience with character. You can even see Aviva Studios from here. 

Built around canals and just beside the River Irwell, it’s a gorgeous part of the city centre.

From your door, it’s just a four minute walk to the Regent Retail Park (hello, big Sainsburys and JD Gyms); seven-minutes to all the restaurants and cafes on Chapel Street; and less than 10 minutes from St John’s and onwards to Spinningfields. 

You can also get your green space fix with a 15 minute walk to Castlefield, with Peel Park a little further on. 

And with each apartment block designed around its own communal gardens, you’ll feel tucked away from the city centre, while still being amongst the action.

  1. Communal spaces
Co-working hub at New Maker Yards
Co-working hub at New Maker Yards
Co-working hub at New Maker Yards
Co-working hub at New Maker Yards
A resident lounge
A resident lounge

You’ll never get cabin fever at New Maker Yards, which has loads of communal spaces to enjoy.

Residents have access to The Lock, a co-working hub with window seats, booths and a huge co-working desk. 

Residents can also access the Club Room, where you’ll find a mini library, a kitchen for hosting events, a huge TV and more. 

Outside, landscaped gardens include flower beds, loungey garden furniture, ping pong tables and more for residents to enjoy. 

Add in a 92 Degrees coffee shop and an on-site Co-op shop, and you have everything you need right on your doorstep.

  1. Interiors
Inside a New Maker Yards apartment
Inside a New Maker Yards apartment
A living space opening onto an outdoor terrace
A living space opening onto an outdoor terrace
Modern, fully equipped kitchens
Modern, fully equipped kitchens
Stylish living spaces
Stylish living spaces

Apartments at New Maker Yards come with top-spec, state-of-the-art interiors, designed for modern living.

Each home has huge windows that flood with natural light, integrated kitchen appliances including a fridge, microwave and dishwasher, and loads of storage space.

Furniture packages mean you can move straight into a home kitted out with dressers, drawers, beds, sofas, mirrors, and more. 

Many of the apartments also feature private outdoor space – balconies for the upper floors, and terraces opening onto the communal gardens for the ground floors. 

They’re also pet friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friend with you. 

  1. Services and amenities
The Club Room
The Club Room
New Maker Yards
New Maker Yards

You’ll have proper peace of mind at New Maker Yards, both for your own personal safety and the safety of your ASOS parcels. 

There’s 24-hour on-site security, an on-site maintenance team, a parcel room and a friendly resident team in the welcome office, ready to help with whatever you need.

Storage pods, car parking and bike storage are all available too.

To find out more about New Makers Yard, head HERE. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Nike and go-to online running shoe suppliers confirmed as new sponsors for Altrincham 10k

Danny Jones Danny Jones Nike sponsoring Altrincham 10k run

The annual Altrincham 10k just got a whole lot bigger and better ahead of this year’s run, as the annual race has just notched Nike as one of their new lead sponsors – and that’s not all.

Alty’s annual race is also being backed by SportsShoes.com, a.k.a. the go-to trainers supplier for so many runners, who will be presenting the 2025 edition in partnership with RunThroughUK.

Now part of RunThrough North‘s regular programme, Altrincham 10k continues to grow in size with each passing year, as demonstrated by getting such prestigious sponsors on board.

Taking place this weekend, the 2025 Alty 10k could just be the biggest yet.

Set to welcome approximately 3,500 runners to the Trafford market town’s central streets, the Altrincham 10k is one of the final large-scale running events on the local calendar.

Aligning both famous brands with the heart of Altrincham’s running community and, indeed, giving Greater Manchester’s wider sports culture, it’s yet more prestige for 0161.

The 2025 race will also see Nike showcase its latest road running line-up, including the newest
max cushioning shoe: the ‘Vomero Plus’; the responsive ‘Pegasus’ everyday trainer, as well as supportive
‘Structure’ model, meaning runners will get a chance to sample their latest styles.

As well as support from SportsShoes.com and official Nike ambassadors, North West native and GB triathlete Katie Halligan, Hits Radio presenter and ultra runner Hattie Pearson, as well as local Manc artist Emma Evans will all be there too.

These equally inspiring women have also been chosen to help represent Nike and RunThrough’s shared mission of attracting more female runners, as shown with events such as the recent 2025 Women’s Run Series back in April.

Co-Founder of RunThrough, Matt Wood, said of the new partnership: “Welcoming Nike as title sponsor of the Altrincham 10K, alongside our long-standing partner SportsShoes.com, is a huge milestone
for the event.

“This partnership highlights the growth of our community and the strength of our brand. We can’t wait to support the thousands of runners taking part in the Nike Altrincham 10K, Presented by SportsShoes.com.”

As for SportShoes, brand manager Gavin Bannister added: “The energy around this year’s 10K will be electric, and we can’t wait to see everyone out there chasing their goals and celebrating the power of running.

“From our own athletes to first-time runners, this event is all about showing up, pushing limits, and being part of something truly special, and that is what Nike and Sportsshoes.com are all about.”

Entries are still open for any of those interested in a last-minute place in the race on Sunday, 7 September – you can sign up HERE.

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Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

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