The Trafford Centre is ready to “sprinkle some magic on the festive season” with its Reindeer Lodge Christmas Experience arriving next month.
You are invited to “journey north” to the shopping mall’s warm and snug reindeer lodge where you’ll first meet the loveable Norbert – a young reindeer who longs to lead the sleigh on Christmas Eve and wants to share a very magical secret of his own – before going on to meet Father Christmas himself.
Father Christmas will then be waiting in his twinkly, cosy cabin to meet his guests.
Given the times we are living in amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this visit won’t be the usual Santa’s grotto we’ve come to know, but children will still be permitted to approach the front of his sleigh at a safe two-metre distance to say hello and tell him their Christmas wishes, before having their photo taken, receiving a gift, and gathering some magical reindeer food to take it home.
Sprinkling the food outside on Christmas Eve will help Norbert’s reindeer friends fly the sleigh.
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The experience has been carefully risk assessed and designed in line with COVID-19 safety measures, which include hand sanitising stations, maximum capacity limits, and regular cleaning of the experience itself.
Adults and children over 11 years of age must wear a face covering.
There will also be autism-friendly grotto experiences, which will feature smaller groups of visitors, quieter music, and specially-trained characters.
Zoe Inman – Director at The Trafford Centre – said: “Here at the centre, we look forward all year to celebrating Christmas traditions with our visitors.
“We know how special it is for families to meet Father Christmas and share those all-important Christmas wishes [and] although the festive season may be a little different this year, we’re so excited to be bringing this charming experience to our littlest visitors and their families, sprinkling a little extra magic on the festive period.”
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The Reindeer Lodge will open at The Trafford Centre on 17th November and close on 24th December, and you will find it located on the Upper Level of the mall next to the Main Dome.
Tickets are priced at £10.50 per child, and £5.50 per adult.
The ticket price includes reindeer food to take home and a special gift from Father Christmas, and you are required to book online prior to the event via the Trafford Centre website here.
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COVID-19 safety measures:
There will be hand sanitising points situated throughout to keep hands clean, and the grotto will also be regularly cleaned.
Adults and children over 11 must wear a face covering (unless they are exempt).
The experience has been arranged to be safe and socially distant from other groups, and the capacity of the area has been assessed to allow five groups per session.
Tickets will be sold in bubbles of up to five people and people should only visit with members of their household or bubble. There is a maximum of two adults per group, so if you do wish to bring a sixth person in your group, please contact the customer helpline to arrange.
Each child will be provided with a sanitised scoop and gift bag to collect their reindeer food, and they will move through the area from section to section in a structured format, ensuring correct social distancing between family groups, collecting reindeer food as they move through.
You can find more information on The Trafford Centre website here.
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New CGIs released of Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel in Wigan town centre
Emily Sergeant
Some new CGIs have given us a sneak peak inside Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel soon to open in Wigan town centre.
In case this is the first you’re hearing of the development, Wigan Council announced back in March 2024 in collaboration with its development partner Cityheart that it had signed a franchise agreement with world-renowned hotel brand, Hilton, for a stunning six-storey Hampton by Hilton hotel pop up right in the heart of Wigan town centre, just off Market Street.
The new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment of the former Galleries Shopping Centre – which was approved in July 2023.
The hotel will be located directly-opposite the bus station entrance of New Market Street, and is within 500 yards of both town centre train stations.
It’s being called ‘one of the most important elements’ of the Galleries masterplan.
New CGIs have been released of Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel in Wigan town centre / Credit: Supplied
As well as the 144 bedrooms – with ‘accessible’ rooms to be built on each accommodation level – the new hotel will also house a gym overlooking the new square, a main reception area and dining space on the ground floor, meeting and conference rooms, and secure parking will be available for guests.
Dozens of staff are expected to be employed at the new hotel – which the Council says will provide a range of job opportunities for local residents.
Once complete, the hotel will form part of the exciting new town centre neighbourhood providing a new Market Hall and food court, more than 400 homes, bars, restaurants, and leisure uses, all designed to celebrate Wigan’s proud heritage and unique identity.
The new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment / Credit: Supplied
“It’s great to see the progress of this exciting Hampton by Hilton development, which not only plays a role in Wigan’s regeneration, but continues to strengthen our footprint in the North West,” commented Paul Blackmore, who is the Vice President of Development at Hilton UK & Ireland, as the CGIs were released this week.
“The ambition shown by Wigan Council and Cityheart to create a dynamic new hub for retail, leisure, business and living truly resonated with us, and we look forward to welcoming guests when the hotel opens in late 2027.”
Construction work will start on site in October 2025, with an expected opening of the new hotel in winter 2027.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Trafford Centre reveals Halloween events lineup with ‘nerve-shredding’ rides, creepy crafts, and more
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is nearly upon us, and the Trafford Centre has now announced its lineup of Halloween activities to get stuck into.
With not long to go until schools across Greater Manchester break up for half term, and with Halloween within touching distance, the major shopping centre has revealed an exciting collection of events that’ll be happening over the next couple of weeks – and there’s activities for people of all ages.
From creepy crafts, to hair-raising rides and eerie evening entertainment, there’s something for every brave soul.
Back by popular demand from 25 October is the Halloween Fair, which will pop up outside The Great Hall featuring nerve-shredding rides, a spine-tingling atmosphere, carnival vibes, and loads more, right through until 2 November.
Brand new for 2025 is Fright Night at the fair, which is a truly immersive scare experience for daring teens and adults.
The Trafford Centre has revealed its Halloween events lineup for 2025 / Credit: Supplied
Fright Night will bring three evenings of pure horror from 30 October – 1 November, as creepy characters roam the fairground once the sun’s gone down.
For families wanting half term fun but looking for a gentler kind of magic, there’s a chance to join characters Wanda Web and Jack O’Lantern for some creepy crafts like relaxing pumpkin decorating, eerie face painting, and making your own witches and wizards hats to take home.
The legendary Big Wheel will also be returning for the festive season so you can ascend into the misty night sky high above the Trafford Centre for eerie nighttime views.
And to top it all off, Gandeys will be bringing back the fan-favourite ‘Spooktacular’ for 2025.
There’ll be ‘nerve-shredding’ rides, creepy crafts, and loads more to get involved with / Credit: Trafford Centre
“Halloween is one of the most exciting times of year for us at Trafford Centre, and this year’s lineup is bigger and better than ever,” commented Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre.
“From spine-chilling rides and late-night scares to pumpkin painting for the little ones, we’ve created an experience that everyone can enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome families, friends and thrill-seekers alike for a Halloween celebration like no other.”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd October 2020 
