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.
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.
Featured Images — Ross Gibbs (via Planet Ice Altrincham)
Trafford
Primark is opening its first dedicated Home store in Manchester this summer
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester has won big, as our region has been chosen as the first place to get a dedicated Primark Home store.
Following the opening of its debut Home location in Belfast earlier this year, Primark has now announced that the home of its first ever Great Britain site will be here in Greater Manchester – arriving at the popular Trafford Palazzo this summer.
The 11,900 sq ft, two-floor store will bring together the very best of Primark’s interiors offering, all under one roof.
Manchester shoppers can discover an expanded range of homeware and lifestyle essentials to give their home the glow-up it deserves, including high-quality essentials like cotton bedding and towels, soft furnishings, small furniture, and quirky ceramics.
The new store will feature Primark’s recently-launched ‘Edit’ – an elevated collection of home products such as chic tableware, plush towels, and luxury home fragrances.
It will also include a dedicated Travel Shop to help customers get holiday-ready all year round, with a range of stylish and practical travel essentials.
Primark is opening its first dedicated Home store in Manchester this summer / Credit: Primark Corporate
The addition of the new Primark Home at Trafford Palazzo doesn’t mean that any of the other Primark shops across Greater Manchester will be going anywhere though, so shoppers can still continue to get their Primark fix at the main Trafford Palazzo store, as well as on Market Street in Manchester city centre, and right through to the boroughs in places like Bolton, Oldham, Bury, and Wigan.
“The opening of Primark Home at Trafford Palazzo is an incredibly exciting moment for us,” commented Mark Whittaker, who is the Managing Director at Peel Retail and Leisure.
The store will bring together the very best of Primark’s interiors offering, all under one roof / Credit: Primark Corporate
“Not only because we are the first destination in Great Britain to do so, but the opening is going to be adding a leading concept to our already unique mixture of immersive shopping and leisure experiences.
“Primark Home will have something for everyone, and we look forward to the store opening in summer.”
No official opening date for the Primark Home store at Trafford Palazzo has been confirmed as of yet, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Primark Corporate
Trafford
LEGO is back hosting more interactive workshops for kids in Manchester this month
Emily Sergeant
Little Mancs who love LEGO can take part in a series of interactive building workshops in Manchester this month.
Following the launch of its campaign aimed at championing and standing up creativity last year, The LEGO Group hosted a series of free interactive workshops throughout 2024, and now, in a bid to keep encouraging children across Greater Manchester to ‘play without limits’, the next round of dates for this summer have been announced.
Aimed at young creators aged six to 12, the workshops will be botanical themed, and will focus on igniting imagination and nurturing children’s social skills.
The hands-on workshops where kids can build their own butterfly garden will take place down at the Trafford Centre on selected Sundays this month, as well as online for those who can’t make it in person.
LEGO is back hosting more interactive workshops for kids in Manchester this month / Credit: Supplied
The in-person ‘Creativity Workshops’ – which will be held at the LEGO Store Trafford Centre on Sunday 15 and Sunday 22 June – will be led by expert Brick Specialists who’ll provide a guided interactive experience that sparks curiosity, encourages creativity, and fosters a deeper appreciation for the beauty of plants and nature.
And the best bit? Tickets to the workshops will only cost £5 per child.
But you will need to make sure you book them in advance on the LEGO website here, however, as they’re expected to be snapped-up fast.
For those who aren’t able to attend the workshops in person though, you can make the most of this year’s ‘Creativity at Home’ online workshop series instead, which this month led by content creator Plant Kween, also known as Christopher Griffin.
Workshops are happening down at the Trafford Centre these next two weekends / Credit: Craig A Rodway (via Flickr)
“I’ve always felt a deep connection to nature, and love decorating my home with botanicals,” Plant Kween said, “so I’m so excited about this opportunity to connect with families, and celebrate the joy and beauty that plants bring into our lives, one brick at a time.
“What makes this especially meaningful is seeing young people get involved, using their imaginations to build, explore, and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
“It’s hands-on, joyful learning that truly plants the seeds for creativity and connection.”
Danny Jones -
11th January 2024 
