A Kellogg’s exhibition celebrating all things cereal has opened in Greater Manchester

A brand new exhibition honouring Kellogg’s 90-year legacy has opened this week, ahead of the cereal brand’s Trafford Park site closure.

Head on over to Sale’s very own Trafford Local Studies and Archive Centre, just over the road from the tram stop, to catch a glimpse into the past 90 years of local history of the iconic Kellogg’s Trafford Park manufacturing site.

This new exhibition is in place to celebrate the products, history and cultural significance of Kellogg’s Trafford Park factory, as well as to commemorate all of the exceptionally hard working individuals in Stretford who have been involved from the very beginning.

For this reason, the exhibition was developed in partnership with colleagues from the factory and is purposely set up in a space where the local community can access and appreciate it, as without them Kellogg’s wouldn’t be what it is today.

In January 2023, even King Charles III paid a visit to the factory, to celebrate the 100 years of Kellogg’s ‘Bringing Breakfast to Britain.’

Despite narrowly missing being hit during the Blitz, this particular site has managed to maintain its status of being the biggest cereal plant in Europe and at full capacity it is able to produce a million boxes of cereal a day – pretty impressive if you ask us.

Since 1938, when the factory first opened here in Stretford, lots has changed but fear not Kelloggs aren’t closing down – they are simply moving from the Trafford facility to Wrexham to facilitate more modern manufacturing.

You can expect to learn all of the history of our nation’s favourite cereal company as you walk around the Kellogg’s exhibition. The story is expertly told through a number of displays presenting more than 100 artefacts, rare collectibles, the contents of a time capsule, photographs and archival footage.

We found it particularly interesting seeing how the imagery and branding merchandise has evolved over almost a century, with the iconic characters that we know and love, looking rather different back in the day.

Whether you have a favourite character out of Tony the Tiger, Cornelius the Cockerel, or Coco the Monkey, go on down and see how Kellogg’s instantly recognisable cereal box mascots have changed over the years – it would seem at some point Tony started heading to the gym?!

There are even examples of Tony the Tiger and Coco the Monkey supporting Movember with their very own moustaches, or Tony-inspired face masks worn by staff throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The exhibition successfully evokes a strong sense of childhood nostalgia, with Kellogg’s forever being a cornerstone to Greater Manchester’s community life, many of us will be able to recall collecting the toys as a child, sending off for the collectibles, getting a multipack of the mixed small cereal boxes for a camping trip or even visiting the Kelloggs factory as a child with school and savouring that sweet smell.

So, whether you’re an avid Crunchy Nut conflakes fan or you’ve recently found out about the nutritional benefits of Rice crispy bars as a pre-workout snack via Tiktok, go on down to learn more about this cracking bit of local history.

Tim McKnight, Plant Director at the Kellogg’s Trafford Park factory, said: “The Trafford Park factory means a great deal to us and the community, and we hope this exhibition helps celebrate that pride and the lasting contribution our colleagues have made to Greater Manchester.”

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: ” For nearly 90 years the plant has been a major local employer and a source of pride for generations of families, and this exhibition is a fitting tribute to the people behind the brand and the role they’ve played in shaping breakfast tables around the world.

“While we are saddened by the closure of the plant, it has been important for us to work with Kellogg’s to preserve and showcase these remarkable archives.”

Admission at Trafford Local Studies and Archives Centre is free, open six days a week with the exhibition on the ground floor of Sale Waterside running until early August 2026. 

For further information to support the physical exhibition, head HERE.

Read more

• Smash-hit West End musical Trainspotting is coming to Manchester later this year
• After All 2026 – the affordable grassroots music festival happening in Northern Quarter
• Manchester City to open pop-up pub in honour of John Stones and Bernardo Silva

Featured image: The Manc Group