Trafford

One of the UK’s biggest ice rinks is set to be built over in Trafford

TraffordCity continues it's exciting expansion.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 11th January 2024

A deal has been announced for an exciting new development in Greater Manchester as one of the UK’s biggest ice rinks is coming to Trafford.

‘Regeneration specialists’ Peel Waters, the same people behind the highly-anticipated Therme, have agreed terms with property investment company ICITIES to develop a brand-new ice arena in the ever-growing TraffordCity business and leisure district.

Located just next to the Trafford Centre and directly opposite the likes of the Chill Factore and iFLY Indoor Skydiving, the project is set to be built on the same plot of land which once hosued the former Soccer Dome site which was finally cleared last year in preparation for a new arrival.

With ICITIES also securing a major pre-let agreement with Planet Ice to bring their award-winning ice-leisure offer to the UK’s preeminent retail and leisure destination, we can now confirm that new addition to be a brand new ice rink which will be their biggest venue to date.

Planet Ice Altrincham.
You can see the Chill Factore and the plot for the new Trafford ice rink in the background.
Credit: Supplied

Planet Ice currently have 14 other locations up and down the UK, including just down the road in Altrincham — an ice skating rink and the home stadium of the Manchester Storm ice hockey team — but the venue in TraffordCity will be one of the most state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities in the country.

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Promising not only a multi-use event space that can be converted for various different occasions but onsite food and drink offerings, including grab and go options, a stylish family restaurant and a high-end sports bar, this place is going to be a full on leisure unit that perfectly aligns with the surrounding area.

More details and images of the proposed venue will be released closer to the planning submission processes full approval but it’s safe to say we’re already getting very excited. The build itself is estimated to take anywhere between 12 and 15 months once ground is broken.

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With the award-winning Planet Ice brand already on board too, you can be assured that when this thing does arrive you’ll be guaranteed quality and plenty of scope for the future — we can already see the Storm swapping the Shelter for the Trafford for the odd game.

new ice skating arena coming to greater manchester
Credit: Ross Gibbs

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Peel Waters’ Executive Director, James Whittaker, said of the plans: “We’re extremely pleased to have secured another brilliant attraction to TraffordCity. Planet Ice will be a huge success in TraffordCity and together with the existing and proposed diverse mix of offerings, we believe TraffordCity will be the UK’s best retail and leisure destination.

“Alongside boosting the local and visitor economy and attracting investment into the area, we are committed to increasing jobs and opportunities for our local community. Through our long-term vision for TraffordCity, Peel has helped create 17,500 jobs within the destination to date with plans to increase this to 33,000 over the next 20 years.”

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As for Planet Ice, their COO Heath Rhodes said of the new rink: “We are delighted to announce our commitment to lease a new venue at TraffordCity… The venue will be very complementary to our existing facilities in the northwest, in particular Altrincham, where we are often at capacity.

“We plan to provide a large seating capacity at the new venue for on and off-ice entertainment. Furthermore, we plan to invest in our Altrincham site, so having this new facility close by will allow our customers full access to the ice during any works we do at Oakfield Road.”

TraffordCity just keeps getting bigger and better and this certainly isn’t the only new development we’re keeping a very keen eye on.

Trafford’s £75m surf park and leisure resort project is finally moving again
A new ice rink, waterpark, surf centre and full-blown resort — Trafford is well and truly on the up.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Ross Gibbs (via Planet Ice Altrincham)

Trafford

Altrincham FC name new interim coach after sacking long-serving manager Phil Parkinson

Danny Jones Danny Jones Phil Parkinson sacked by Altrincham FC for new interim manager

Altrincham FC have sacked their long-term manager Phil Parkinson after eight years and an unfortunate winless run.

The Greater Manchester club dismissed ‘Parky’ after nearly the best part of a decade, following the loss on penalties in the tie against Winsford United (6-5) and a long series of defeats and a couple of draws.

For context, they’ve picked up just a single point in the National League, and they haven’t won since the 2-1 victory over Sutton United on 6 September.

Subsequently, Alty FC had little choice but to change things up, with Parkison and his right-hand man being reluctantly let go and his temporary replacement having already been restored.

Confirming the decision on Thursday, 24 October, the club wrote in a statement: “Altrincham FC have today parted company with Manager Phil Parkinson and Assistant Manager Neil Sorvel.

“Given recent form and the current league position, it is clear that results have not met expectations. The Board therefore believes a change of direction is necessary at this point in the season.

“The Board wishes to place on record its sincere gratitude to Phil and Neil for their outstanding contribution over the past nine years. Their achievements, professionalism, and commitment have played a major role in shaping the modern-day Altrincham FC.

“A full tribute reflecting on their time with the club will be published on the official website in due course.”

More importantly, they have assured that the hunt for a new full-time “leadership team within the football department – one fully aligned with the Board’s long-term vision for the club” – has begun.

Chairman Mark Luby also made sure to reiterate that Parkinson and Sorvel have left the club “in a much stronger position than when they arrived” and, as well as recognising their achievements in that time, assured that the decision was “extremely difficult”.

As for who has been tasked with lifting them from 20th in the table, former Wealdstone FC duo Neil Gibson and his assistant Lee Jones are now in place.

Having already navigated a side to safety from the drop zone last season, Luby clearly believes the pair to be a shrewd appointment.

“The impact they had under challenging circumstances at Wealdstone was impressive by any measure”, he says, “and they demonstrated clear leadership under pressure”, adding that Gibson’s contacts in the game and vision on how to improve things on the pitch should help steady the ship.

Quickly put in post and preparing for the game against Braintree Town this weekend, the new Robins boss said: “I’m proud to be here. When the club shared its ambitions and the immediate challenges ahead, I felt there was an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, and I was excited to accept.

“While the Board focuses on the recruitment of a permanent Manager, Lee and I will give everything to move this team up the table and build momentum as quickly as possible.

“I know how passionate the supporters are, and I look forward to speaking with them more fully in due course and to seeing the travelling fans at Cressing Road on Saturday.” Principal sponsors AO are also helping fund the 600-mile round-trip journey for 57 supporters next month against Truro City, too.

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Featured Images — Alty TV (screenshot via YouTube)/Altrincham FC (via X)

Trafford

A very wholesome record was seemingly smashed by a group of runners at the Manchester Half

Danny Jones Danny Jones Runners break Guinness World Record for fastest caterpillar time Manchester Half Marathon 2025

It’s been a few days since the 2025 Manchester Half, and news of personal bests and records being matched/broken continues to flood in, but nothing quite beats the fastest caterpillar EVER getting themselves in the Guinness book.

Yes, we did say caterpillar.

In case you have no idea what we’re talking about (it’s pretty much what it says on the tin), a caterpillar refers to when multiple runners stick themselves in a daft bit of fancy dress and race in a line while joined together in a suit that looks like, well, you get the gist…

Fun and wholesome in itself, right? Indeed, better still, though, it appears as though this particular group of fundraisers not only completed this year’s Manchester Half-marathon with the added challenge of running behind one another in a caterpillar outfit, but have just smashed the Guinness World Record.

As you can see, the four top blokes – Matthew Athersmith, Eddie Evans, Andrew Cairns and Jimmy Craig – didn’t just get the 13.1-mile feat completed quickly; they were absolutely RAPID.

The 2025 MCR Half saw plenty of people breaching the 90-minute mark or going even faster, but we were not expecting to see the familiar caterpillar fancy dress sight finishing in 1:14:08.

Utterly ridiculous, boys.

Other notable bits of history made, besides the largest ever crowd of 28k racers and more than £1.6 million raised for different charities, included runner Sophie Godley smashing the women’s record for the fastest time while carrying (*checks notes*) 13 golf clubs. Silly and inspiring – like it.

Although they’re still waiting for full confirmation from the official Guinness World Records organisation, the Manchester Half media team seemingly verified that they beat the previous caterpillar half-marathon record by nearly 15 whole minutes.

Dubbing themselves ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’, the group of mates from Skipton in North Yorkshire ran in memory of one of Matthew’s friends, Darren, who sadly died back in 2022.

Speaking to the BBC following the remarkable achievement, Matt said: “Darren was so loved by everyone; we just didn’t know what was going on beneath the surface.”

Applauding the “unbelievable” and incredibly uplifting atmosphere on the day, they were one of many participants who added on extra caveats to the already impressive fitness and fundraising challenge.

It was nevertheless an emotional day for all of them. For instance, one quarter of the caterpillar, Jimmy, also had a heavily pregnant wife waiting at home that he had to race back to.

Generating money for male mental health organisation and suicide prevention charity, Andy’s Man Club (AMC), which has continued to grow year on year, they went on to add: “It’s OK to talk, and people shouldn’t suffer in silence. We all would have tried to help.”

Andy’s Man Club outposts are popping up all over the place, including many here in Greater Manchester, so for anyone struggling, please know that you are NOT alone and can always speak to someone. If you’re interested in giving AMC a go, you can find your nearest support group HERE.

Last but not least, for those of you local to the region who are ready to reward yourselves now that the big runs are all said and done, look no further.

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Featured Images — Manchester Half (supplied)/Andy’s Man Club

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