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.
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“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.
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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
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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.
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“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.
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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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TGI Fridays to close even more UK locations as franchise falls further into administration
Danny Jones
Yes, American export and multinational TGI Fridays is closing even more locations across the UK following the previous batch of restaurant shutdowns.
This comes after Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, the parent company which oversees the global TGI Fridays franchise, filed a third notice to appoint administrators this week.
Founded way back in 1965 and opening in the UK by the 80s – 1990 here in Manchester, to be specific – the New York-born diner brand continues to struggle all over Great Britain.
The only city centre TGIs was hit by the first raft of closures in October 2024, and now another Greater Manchester branch is on the chopping block.
TGIs Preswitch and Royal Exchange have both been shut for some time (Credit: David Dixon/The Manc)
Announced on Wednesday, 14 January, a further 16 TGI Fridays restaurants are shutting down imminently amid administration.
Totalling just 33 transatlantic venues left, this also means the loss of around 450 jobs, though the company insists they believe it to be the best decision to help “reinvigorate” the brand.
In a statement, Global President of TGI Fridays, Phil Broad, said: “We’ve been working closely to explore all available options for securing the long-term future of TGI Fridays in the UK, and believe that this is the best outcome for the business, preserves jobs, and offers a strong platform for success and growth.
As per an official press release shared on Monday, TGI bosses are hoping to reassert their presence in the American bar and grill scene as well as casual dining culture with a “bold new 1-2-3 strategic vision.”
Meanwhile, you can see the full list of TGI Fridays sites closing in Great Britain down below:
It seems that the entities within the hospitality sector, no matter how big or small, are still being struck by rising business rates, inflation and the general cost of living crisis.
I suggest you speak to your team @RachelReevesMP … an emergency cut in VAT is the ONLY lever you have to save thousands of Hospitality businesses folding. Much of Europe has VAT rates 10-13% to support their Hospitality industry.
For now, at least, the now only remaining regional TGI Fridays in the Trafford Centre (which has been there since 1998) is set to stay open.
In the case of the site in Tameside, the 36-year-old spot has unfortunately closed with immediate effect.
As for those sadly now without a job, it’s absolutely gutting – sending love and support from everyone here at The Manc Group, and we hope other parties at Ashton Leisure Park will step in to help when and where they can.
This is far from the only recognisable name closing down local venues, either…
Michael Carrick confirmed as new interim head coach of Manchester United
Danny Jones
It’s official: Man United have announced Michael Carrick as their new head coach, at least for now, and it has been confirmed he will be in post for the Manchester derby this weekend.
Quite the baptism of fire.
Yes, only a week on from his predecessor, Ruben Amorim, being sacked by the club, and after just two games with Darren Fletcher as caretaker manager, Michael Carrick is the new interim United boss for the remainder of the season.
While it is believed that this is only a temporary appointment – with INEOS said to be continuing their search for a full-time replacement – should things go well, it wouldn’t be the first time an interim has stayed on to get the top job.
Having been pictured arriving at the Carrington training complex on Tuesday morning, 13 January, it quickly went from Carrick being considered a frontrunner alongside former interim turned full-time manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, to odds-on favourite and then all but confirmed very quickly.
The 44-year-old highly-regarded Man United midfielder, who has already served both as an assistant coach and as an interim for three games following Solskjær’s exit back in 2021.
In the time since then, not only did he go on to enjoy a mildly successful stint at Middlesbrough FC for two and a half years, which ended last June after he failed to secure a playoff spot.
Despite not gaining promotion or winning any silverware, he was often praised for his style of football and has followed the so-called ‘United Way’ in giving youth a chance.
Speaking in his first official statement, Carrick said: “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour. I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know this group is more than capable of producing.”
“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years; I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here.
“There’s still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”
As for his predecessor and old teammate, Fletcher was reportedly offered a role as part of his coaching staff, but has stated his preference to drop back down to look after the under-18s squad.
🚨 | Darren Fletcher was offered a place in Michael Carrick's #mufc coaching staff, but he declined as he wants to continue working with the U18s. [@lauriewhitwell] https://t.co/7hIuKyyiRJ
Following United‘s exit from the FA Cup against Brighton, Carrick will now be in charge of just 17 games for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign, which will be their shortest on record since before WWI.
With the Red Devils currently sitting in seventh place and just a few points off the top four (having spurned multiple opportunities to leapfrog other contenders in recent weeks), financially, they simply cannot afford to spend another year without European football.
That being said, Carrick’s first two games in charge will be against a resurgent Man City and fellow title rivals Arsenal before the end of the month.
As if the prospect of another newly reshuffled backroom wasn’t already interesting enough, another club icon and England legend has also expressed his interest in becoming part of it.
Jason Wilcox, director of football (who has come under plenty of scrutiny over the past week), went on to add: “Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United.
“He is ready to lead our talented and determined group of players for the remainder of the season as we continue to build the club towards regular and sustained success.”
It has also been confirmed that Steve Holland, ex-Boro colleague Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion, Craig Mawson, as well as only recently retired United defender Jonny Evans, will all join his team.
You can watch Michael Carrick’s first full interview as interim head coach down below.
Emily Sergeant -
12th February 2021 
