The Trafford Centre doors may currently be closed to all non-essential retail, but once restrictions allow, there’s some new names ready and waiting.
With England firmly within the third national lockdown amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, only a handful of essential retail outlets are still serving in The Trafford Centre, while hospitality businesses are just permitted to offer takeaway services, but the mall is still gearing up to “bolster the fashion, wellbeing and food offering in 2021” with four new openings.
These new openings include the North West-based fashion retailer Forever Unique, luxury cosmetics brand Rituals, Manchester-born burger and shakes chain Archie’s, and the launch of US-based Slim Chickens.
The bricks and mortar launch of women’s occasion wear retailer Forever Unique – which was founded by husband-and-wife team Seema and Sandeep Malhotra ten years ago – has seen the Manchester e-commerce brand sign for a unit near Selfridges on the upper mall, after the company has since grown rapidly as an online-first brand, successfully breaking into international fashion markets, and securing stockist partnerships in over two-dozen countries.
“Over the last 12 years, our main priority has been to successfully expand into new markets and raise the profile of the brand.” Seema and Sandeep Malhotra said.
“Our goal is to explore new and innovative ways to engage a wider market, allowing consumers more diverse ways to shop and interact with Forever Unique and we’ve seen increased demand for accessible ways to shop, so we’re excited to be offering a store at The Trafford Centre where customers can physically see and shop the product in a more intimate retail experience.”
The Trafford Centre
Alongside this, the Trafford Centre is also expecting a boom in wellbeing purchases this year.
As consumers look towards post-pandemic treats – with leading market research company Kantar suggesting good value holistic care as a key retail theme for 2021 – luxury cosmetics and home brand Rituals has also joined The Trafford Centre.
The brand is set to cater to this popular wellbeing trend from a 1,500 sq. ft. unit located close to the Main Dome near Selfridges.
And when it comes to new eateries, iconic Manchester-born burger and shake bar Archie’s has taken a 6,500 sq. ft. unit in the upper-level of The Orient, and Slim Chickens – which focuses on Southern US hospitality to deliver a fast casual dining experience – has also agreed a lease
This is Slim Chickens’ first restaurant in the north of the UK, and it is currently occupying a 3,500 sq. ft. space in The Great Hall.
Having opened late last year, Archie’s and Slim Chickens have joined other eateries in The Orient, and will be providing both deliveries and click and collect services for the duration of lockdown and until normal service is resumed.
Both are eager to welcome diners to sit in once restrictions allow.
Speaking on the mall’s new openings, Nick Williams – Senior Director at CBRE, The Trafford Centre Asset Manager – said: “As one of the UK’s most popular retail and leisure destinations, The Trafford Centre continues to enhance the vibrant mix of brands available to its visitors to reflect consumer trends and create opportunities for emerging brands to reach a wider audience.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome these new brands and look forward to our visitors enjoying their unique offerings.
“Across the retail and F&B categories, we’ve seen some exciting additions to the centre’s brand line up this year from both regional and internationally recognised brands [and] these signings demonstrate confidence in the long term outlook for The Trafford Centre as we look forward to 2021 and beyond.”
Adrien Welch
To help “make the centre a safe place for all”, The Trafford Centre asks that visitors remember to always follow marked routes and visit with their household / social bubble only.
Everyone that visits the centre, whether that’s to work or shop, will need to wear a face covering too.
The Trafford Centre defines a face covering as “something which safely covers the nose and mouth” and visitors can use reusable or single-use face coverings, as well as also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering, but these must all securely fit round the side of the face.
To ensure safe social distancing, the centre will be observing capacity limits and this means that customers may be asked to queue outdoors during busier periods and are advised to dress appropriately for the winter weather.
A number of car parks and entrances will also remain closed to help manage capacity.
Enhanced hygiene regimes will continue, with regular deep cleaning of key areas and touchpoints like escalators, toilets and keypads, and hand sanitation stands will also remain at entrances and throughout the centre.
The COVID-safety measures are hoped to “provide all visitors with additional reassurance” and further information can be found here.
Opening Times
Monday – Friday: 10am – 10pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm
You can find more information ahead of visit via the Trafford Centre website here.
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Alejandro Garnacho set for Premier League switch as Manchester United shuffle attacking lineup
Danny Jones
Young Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho looks set to make a switch to another Premier League team as he has reportedly already reached an agreement regarding personal terms with his next club: Chelsea.
The promising winger, who graduated from Man United’s academy setup and has quickly made an impact even in just a short time in the first team, is now believed to be London-bound very soon, with Chelsea now “close” to completing a deal for the 21-year-old.
While there are no doubts surrounding his talent and potential, it is said the rift between him and the United head coach comes down to personality, character and conduct, with the latter not shying away from sharing grievances publicly.
🚨 Chelsea have stepped up talks with Manchester United over deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho. Clubs in touch on topic for some time & now advancing amid Benjamin Sesko joining #MUFC. 21yo winger wants #CFC or nothing + expects move to happen @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/vdc1dtnA0p
According to The Athletic, it now looks as though after having agitated for a move, Garnacho has got his wish and is set for the capital, in a move which could see him become the 51st senior player to sign for the Blues under Todd Boehly’s ownership.
It is, quite frankly, a staggering number – especially given the fact that he only purchased the club back in May of 2022.
Most notably in Garnacho‘s case, too, it also raises questions around where in the Chelsea squad he will fit and how much regular first-team football (a guaranteed starting spot rumoured to be a flashpoint with Amorim) he will be able to enjoy should the deal go ahead.
For instance, besides the plethora of other attacking players at Enzo Maresca’s disposal, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says that the west Londoners are also pursuing PSG’s Xavi Simons.
Nevertheless, the Italian journalist claims that “every detail of personal terms with Chelsea” has now been agreed, with the Argentine prospect now fully set on a move to Stamford Bridge.
You can see what other Manchester United transfer updates he gave in his latest video.
Romano goes on to state that the deal is effectively done as far as the player side of things is concerned, adding that Garnacho is now only interested in Chelsea since and has been since July.
Although negotiations are yet to begin with Man United, it looks likely that they will push to get a transfer approved quickly as they look to cover the costs of the other business, having already brought in a number of players.
Chester Zoo confirms sex of viral snow leopard cub after its first vet health check
Emily Sergeant
It’s the news we’ve all been for… Chester Zoo has confirmed the sex of its viral snow leopard cub after its first vet health check.
In case you need bringing up to speed, the new baby arrived to first-time parents Nubra and Yashin, who are both three-years-old, earlier this summer on 10 June, and since then, keepers at Chester Zoo said mum and cub had mostly spent their time quietly tucked away in a cosy den, away from the eyes of the onlooking public.
But just last week, it was time for the little one to see what the outside world is all about, and the zoo’s cameras captured it venturing outside for the very first time.
Back then though, we were still awaiting confirmation of the cub’s sex.
Now, Chester Zoo has confirmed that the adorable ball of fluff was taken to the zoo’s specialist vets and carnivore keepers this week to be examined, weighed, vaccinated, and most importantly, ‘sexed’ – and finally, it has been revealed as a female.
Keepers say the playful new arrival is now eight weeks old and growing in strength and confidence every day, with mum Nubra watching over closely.
“At eight weeks old, the cub has undergone the first of two all-important health checks,” explained Mark Brayshaw, who is the Head of Mammals at Chester Zoo.
Chester Zoo has confirmed the sex of its viral snow leopard cub after its first vet health check / Credit: Chester Zoo
“These quick examinations by the zoo’s vets are really important for us to make sure the cub is healthy and in good physical condition.
“We recorded the cub’s weight, checked its heartbeat, eyes, and teeth before swiftly returning the cub to mum Nubra, [and] we’re very happy to report that the cub was given a clean bill of health and we can finally reveal that it is indeed a female.
“Now comes one of the toughest tasks of all – choosing a name worthy of such a special arrival.”
Snow leopards are classed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and it’s believed there are as few as 4,000 now remaining in the wild.
Stay tuned to find out the little one’s name, expected to be revealed very soon.
In fact, you might as well throw in your own suggestion – we’ve already offered ours…
How about Medo? 🥹
It means ‘little flower’ in Tibetan, the same as her mother’s tongue. 🌼
Emily Sergeant -
12th February 2021 
