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

The Curry twins commit future to Sale Sharks with crucial new contracts

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ben and Tom Curry new contracts Sale Sharks deal until 2027

Sharks fan, the ‘Curry Bros’ have some brilliant news to bring you as Ben and Tom have officially signed new contracts with the club, with both England internationals penning lucrative new deals.

That’s right, brothers Tom and Ben Curry have announced they will be staying with Sale Sharks for the foreseeable future, each agreeing to brand new extensions with the Greater Manchester side.

As two of the most gifted players currently playing not just at Salford Community Stadium but in the country full stop, the 26-year-old twins are arguably Sale‘s biggest assets, and they simply couldn’t afford to lose them.

Thankfully, following a joyously received announcement video on Wednesday, 30 April, they don’t have to worry about that until at least 2027.

After making their debuts for the senior team almost a decade ago when they were just 18, the pair have gone on to become rugby union stars and stalwarts in the back row.

Current team captain Ben Curry has now played 184 games for the Sharks, and brother Tom has 60 appearances for England, with both having notched numerous caps and personal achievements from a young age.

Their debut 2016 season saw the dynamic duo pick up joint ‘Young Player of the Season’ in a historic moment for the Gallagher Premiership, and they’ve only gone from strength to strength since.

With that being said, tying them down for another two years minimum is a big coup for the club.

Speaking on his new contract, Ben said: “This is my childhood club. I can remember being there to watch the final game at Edgeley Park and now to be club captain means everything.

“I’m enjoying where I’m at right now and I think there are opportunities to win trophies in the coming years. It’s really cool to see where the club is now compared to when we first joined, and I want to keep building on that…

“I fully believe in Alex and what [he], Simon, Michelle and Ged are building and I want to be a part of it.”

As for brother Tom, he went on to say: “I grew up watching and loving Sale Sharks and to me, this is the pinnacle and I don’t want to leave. 

“We’ve said for so long that this club has potential and we’re close, but I don’t feel that’s right any more. We’re there and I really believe that whether it’s this season or next, this team will win the big trophies. That’s what excites me day to day. 

“There are so many good young players coming through at the moment and it makes me really proud to be able to play a part. We’ve added some brilliant international players and it’s made it a really special place to be.”

In terms of local talent, the Cheshire-born flankers have become firm Northern favourites and will age still on their side, both Sale and England can look to continue building squads with them in mind for years to come.

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As for boss Alex Sanderson, he added: “I’m so happy because we were desperate to keep both Ben and Tom. They’re so good, so special, so important to the team and we’re blessed to have them. 

“They’re almost superhuman and I marvel at some of the things they do. They lead by example, they put the team first all the time, they play through pain, through fatigue and they challenge me and the environment every day.  

“They epitomise everything that I want this team to be about and while they’re much better than I ever was, their skills on and off the field are everything that I value.” Sale haven’t wasted time when it comes to business before next season, but securing contracts for both Ben and Tom Curry might be their best.

Noting that the two actually haven’t played as much rugby together as anyone would have liked, for England’s sake, here’s hoping we get to see plenty more of them sharing the pitch moving forward.

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

Featured Images — England/World Rugby (via YouTube)/Tominnes (via Wikimedia Commons)

Trafford

Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce earns new contract after impressive season

Danny Jones Danny Jones Phallon Tullis-Joyce new three-year contract Man United

Manchester United Women’s goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has signed a brand-new contract with the club following an impressive campaign in the Women’s Super League.

The American international, who earned her international debut for the USWNT earlier this month and has kept 13 clean sheets in 19 WSL games so far this season, hasn’t just been one of the most impressive Man United players this year but one of the best in female football full stop.

Faced with the not-so-insignificant challenge of having to replace former club icon and Lionesses number one, Mary Earps, who left the club last summer, Tullis-Joyce has more than risen to the occasion and quickly become a fan favourite.

Having played an integral role in another impressive domestic display from the Reds, including a third consecutive FA Cup final for Marc Skinner’s side, securing her signature for a few more years was pretty much a no-brainer.

Penning a new three-year contract with United Women, this new deal sees the number 91 extend her stay at Leigh Sports Village until 2028.

With just nine goals conceded all season, fans will be hoping that’s until 2028 at the very least.

Speaking via the official club announcement, Phallon said: “I am really grateful to have this opportunity to continue the exciting journey we are on. All of us in the team have ever-growing dreams of what we can achieve together.

“We want to keep making history and I am so proud to keep wearing the Manchester United badge.”

The 28-year-old stats speak for themselves.

It was only back in February that manager Skinner, who also recently extended his stay at the club, proclaimed her as “one of the world’s best”; meanwhile, the club’s interim head of women’s football, Matt Johnson, described her a “exceptional” both on and off the pitch.

He went on to add that “This [new deal] shows the ambition of the club that we can retain one of the best goalkeepers in the world here at Manchester United.”

She also managed to pick up ‘Goalkeeper of the Year’ at the first-ever Festival of Women’s Football Awards this week.

With a healthy catalogue of highly athletic shot-stopping like this to her name and making a half century of saves in goal for MUWFC, it’s no surprise, really:

With other important players such as Maya Le Tissier, Millie Turner and Jayde Riviere having also signed new deals until 2028, Man United Women are looking to rebuild a strong core following some big departures in the last couple of years.

The men’s team, on the other hand, looks to be facing numerous obstacles.

As mentioned, the Women’s FA Cup final against an ever-dominant Chelsea side is taking place next month (18 May, 1:30pm), and a fantastic performance from Phallon Tullis-Joyce will no doubt be key in deciding who goes home with the trophy.

Do you fancy their chances of retaining it?

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

Featured Images — Taylor Vincent (via Wikimedia Commons)/Manchester United (via X)

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