An 8,000 sq ft beach, retro fairground rides, entertainment and independent food and drink brands have all arrived at the Trafford Centre.
As the region continues to bask in the glorious sunshine – with temperatures soaring over the past week or so – the Trafford Centre has announced the opening of its new ‘Summer Social’ event space.
This vast new outdoor area – which is situated outside The Orient, opposite The Great Hall entrance – brings together all the retro fun of the fair, alongside a beach, live music, exciting pop-ups, and selfie-ready backdrops.
There’s “exhilarating rides” for both little ones and adults – including The Star Flyer, Log Flume, Apple Coaster, and Cruise Ship.
As well as several covered events spaces where people can safely relax. A number of independent food and drink brands will also be popping up over the summer, kicking off with The Angelic, Kitakaze and Boujee Bar – the renowned, all-pink Instagrammer’s dream founded by Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lystra Adams.
ADVERTISEMENT
Live musicians, street artists, and buskers will also be welcomed at Summer Social, and the covered stage area will host a number of ‘Trafford Discovers’ events over the coming weeks.
The food and events space is open to everyone who wishes to take a seat, relax and enjoy something to eat and drink.
ADVERTISEMENT
There’s “exhilarating rides” for both little ones and adults / Credit: Trafford CentreLive musicians, street artists, and buskers will also be welcomed at Summer Social. / Credit: Trafford Centre
Summer Social is now open every day until 5 September 2021, from 11am-9pm daily, with the food and events space open 12pm-10pm Sunday – Thursday, and 12pm-11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
There is a £3.50 entry fee (£3 if booked in advance) to the beach area, with fairground rides priced individually. Wristband packages will also be available to pre-book for those who wish to enjoy an afternoon or evening of rides, food, drinks and beach time.
Speaking on the opening of Summer Social, Zoe Inman – Centre Director at the Trafford Centre – said: “Summer Social is going to be a unique and vast outdoor area, offering people a safe space to gather, eat, drink and have some fun.
“With over 200 stores, restaurants and leisure attractions to also explore within the centre itself, it’s time to plan a sensational day out at The Trafford Centre this summer.”
Set capacity limits will remain in place at Summer Social, and visitors are welcome to wear a face covering if they wish.
“Summer Social is offering people a safe space to gather, eat, drink and have some fun.” / Credit: Trafford Centre
Elsewhere at the shopping centre, a new Peter Rabbit-themed ‘Secret Garden’ has opened up, with the new immersive attraction giving kids the chance to explore a secret garden that brings to life the world of Peter Rabbit, as well as the chance to meet the beloved bunny, all of his friends, and so much more.
More information about this “captivating indoor family experience” can be found here.
Featured Image – Trafford Centre
What's On
Bada Bing sandwich shop is hosting a 24-hour charity run to help the homeless this Christmas
Danny Jones
Manchester’s beloved Bada Bing sandwich shop is getting in the festive spirit and looking to give back that Christmas by hosting a 24-hour charity run on behalf of Greater Manchester’s homeless.
The Sopranos-themed deli and butty makers made their long-awaited return to Manchester city centre earlier this year after closing back in 2022, much to the delight of us fellow bread-lovers, and it didn’t take long for them to get back on top.
Coming back with a bada-bang this past September, Bada Bing once again has people lining up out the door and down the road for their unreal sandwiches pretty much every lunchtime.
However, apart from the daily queues, another thing that sadly remains a constant on our streets is the homeless community and with this time of year a particularly difficult one, the foodie favourites have decided to lace up their running shoes to help make a difference.
Teaming up with Sam from Peaks and Pubs, who posts his own running, hiking and general outdoor content to more than 40,000 followers, the digital creator will be helping lead the 24-hour charity relay run around the city, starting and ending at the sandwich shop itself.
Put simply, the aim is to raise as much money as possible for the local non-profit Mustard Tree by running 2k loops on the hour every hour. The first lap will kick off at 11am on Friday, 20 December and will finish with one final loop setting off at 10am the following day.
The Ancoats-based charity combats poverty and aims to prevent homelessness all over the 10 boroughs and has been making a huge impact in central Manchester for more than three decades now; their important work only becomes more vital during the holiday season.
As for Sam and co., they will be running at a super social and steady pace meaning no one gets left behind and, more importantly, everyone can get involved to do their bit for a community that desperately needs our help – especially during the winter.
No doubt taking inspiration from the city’s annual 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness on behalf of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, which absolutely smashed its fundraising target in 2024, we already know how brilliant a turnout these events can produce, so we can only hope for similar success.
Manchester has been putting in the hard yards to help the homeless for many years now.
Announcing the run last week, Bada Bing reiterated that as well as coming along for the charity run, “all donations, little or large, are hugely appreciated and go a long way”, adding that they “will also be accepting tinned food donations at the shop throughout the challenge.”
We’re sure the sandwich stars will be serving up the odd ‘Bing’, ‘Chicago Beef’ and even a festive special or two to help keep the runners fuelled but, above all else, they’re playing host to a wonderful heartwarming event and we’re always happy to hear of charity events like this.
So, if you fancy getting involved you can turn up any time from 11 onwards this Friday and even if you’re not the running type, you can donate directly to the fundraiser HERE.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Peaks and Pubs (screenshot)
What's On
Thousands of FREE tickets to The Big Night of Musicals at AO Arena have been released
Thomas Melia
There are thousands of free tickets up for grabs to attend ‘The Big Night of Musicals’ in Manchester next year which features a variety of theatre classics.
The curtain has risen once again as returning favourite, The Big Night of Musicals, is coming to AO Arena for a fourth year.
Hosted once again by the one and only Jason Manford, this event contains segments from some of the world’s greatest theatre productions.
Fronted by The National Lottery, this showcase is a thank you to all players whose money has supported more than 20,000 theatre-related projects totalling £1.3 billion.
These funds have been used on many performing arts resources including restoring theatres and enabling hundreds of musical-related projects to commence.
This isn’t something to be missed out on as the bill is shaping up to be one of the event’s biggest to date featuring stars from the West End and some of the most notorious shows.
Attendees can expect to hear some familiar favourites in the likes of Bat Out of Hell, Here & Now: The Steps Musical, Mean Girls and more.
There’s even an exclusive preview of the upcoming theatre adaptation of a Disney superhero as snippets from ‘Hercules’ will be performed live.
Guests even have a chance to be in the same room as musical theatre legend Carrie Hope Fletcher as she takes on the role of Calamity Jane in the theatre show of the same name.
Dear Evan Hansen is also on the bill and if you aren’t free for the musical ensemble, it’s running at Palace Theatre Manchester from 18-22 February next year and tickets are available right now.
This event has a super varied lineup too, from throwback pop bangers to Wild West heroines, this night really caters to everyone.
In true musical style, there will be big, bold performances and, of course, lots of excellent surprises all set to make a fantastic night of live music at the AO Arena.
All National Lottery players have the chance to reserve up to four tickets, the only cost is proof they’ve purchased a product from the National Lottery and a £2 booking fee per ticket.
Tickets for the ‘Big Night of Musicals’ on 25 January are already on sale you can try your luck at grabbing some free seats HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd July 2021 
