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 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
An award-winning competitive comedy show is coming to Stretford town centre
Danny Jones
The award-winning Comedy Sportz show is coming to Stretford this weekend as part of the wider Summer of Sport programme.
With a whole host of events taking place in the nearby Trafford town, the mile-a-minute joke fest lands at Stretford Mall this Saturday (27 July) and is completely free to attend.
The local outfit has grown a loyal cult following with their series of competitive comedy and improv shows, as well as workshops and even musical performances around Greater Manchester.
After picking up the award for Best Alternative Act at the 2023 Manchester Comedy Awards and touring the Edinburgh Fringe Festival circuit, they are now bringing their funny bones back on home turf.
Well, it’s pretty simple really: guests sit down to watch two teams battle it out with quick-witted gags and games, all inspired by suggestions straight from the audience.
There’s even a referee like in any other competitive sport, who is on hand not just to ensure fun for everyone involved but to also dish out penalties for any bad behaviour or wayward jokes.
As always, the Comedy Sportz team will come prepared with sharpened wits and ironed kits, and the winning team will be chosen by the audience on the day.
Each team – red vs blue, of course – has three players and this is your last chance to catch them before they jet off to what will be their 17th appearance at the Fringe.
Whether you’re a big comedy fan or just a lover of some friendly competition in general, the show is perfect for all ages.
Comedy Sportz takes place at Stretford Mall this Saturday, 27 July from 3-5pm in the former Bonmarché unit and is well worth a go if you’ve never tried it before.
Featured Images — Supplied/Parrot of Doom (via Wikimedia Commons)
Trafford
What it’s like to go suit shopping at The Trafford Centre’s GIANT new M&S store
Kristen MacGregor-Houlston
It is everyone’s favourite time of year – wedding season. And graduation season. And it is the summer of sport. And all your friends are hosting fancy garden parties now we have a bit of sunshine. Basically, it’s the season of suiting.
If you’re super popular (like I am) you may find yourself at a wedding or event every other weekend this summer and it can be a lot. How do you stand out from the crowd? Will your ex be there? How will I afford it? Well, this is where M&S comes in.
The wonderful team at M&S invited me in to try out their 1-to-1 suit fitting service at their Trafford Centre store.
With another six weddings to go this year, I jumped at the chance to find the perfect suit for me, and something more summery than my usual kegs.
And in case you’ve not been yet, the new M&S is well worth the trip – it’s absolutely massive.
I was welcomed by the fantastic Sagvan, who took me through the different styles they had to offer, with a refreshing array of colours and pastel hues to choose from, the choice was fantastic.
The suit section at the stunning new M&S Trafford Centre store. Credit: The Manc GroupThe suit section at the stunning new M&S Trafford Centre store. Credit: The Manc Group
Feeling slightly overwhelmed by the amount of choice, Sagvan recommended we look at the cut of the suit first. He recommended either tailored or slim fit, and we settled on a flashy sky blue tailored fit, and a dusky pink suit I’d had my eye on since walking in.
Sagvan went through all of the sizing and recommended different accessories, shoes and the whole process was both relaxed and helpful.
I ended up with the pink number, which I wore to a wedding last weekend. Let me tell you dear reader, I was the talk of the wedding.
Everyone couldn’t stop complimenting me (I am also very handsome but they were in awe of the suit).
Told you I looked devilishly handsome in my M&S suit… Credit: The Manc GroupPeople at the wedding couldn’t believe this suit was M&S. Credit: THe Manc Group
Nobody believed it was from M&S either, with many guests planning their trip to get something similar.
M&S might not classically be your first choice for a suit, but it absolutely should be. The 1-to-1 suit service is available to everyone too, just let the team know when you arrive that you’d like some 1-to-1 advice and they would be happy to help.
This season’s occasion wear at M&S has something for everyone.
So whether it is a garden party with friends, you umpteenth wedding of the year or a day at the races, be sure to check out their vast collection of stylish summer suiting.