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Original poster

To think the Trafford centre is horrible?

61 replies

Chocolateapot · 27/09/2025 18:21

I went to the Trafford centre today for the first time in a few years. I couldn’t believe how busy, hot and expensive it was! I know I was adding to the crowds today but I won’t be back anytime soon!

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Original poster
Chocolateapot · 30/09/2025 22:35

I knew it would be busy on a Saturday but had fond memories of mooching around some shops and grabbing lunch. The crowds were unbelievable and we had to park about 10 mins away in an overflow and my partners car was still bashed by someone!

OP posts:
Keepingittogetherstepbystep · 29/09/2025 00:36

It was OK when it was built, had a great market place but it's just same old same now.

Went to a jobs fair there in March, was so noisy I left and haven't been back.

Pryceosh1987 · 29/09/2025 00:30

Maybe you went when it was busy. Perhaps if you go another day it wouldnt be so bad.

ButterPiesAreGreat · 28/09/2025 23:57

Drive past it regularly but have not been since Covid. It was handy when DC were small but I always avoided it like the plague at weekends. Horrible! Agree it’s best to go in the daytime during the week.

Friendlygingercat · 28/09/2025 23:44

Its a few years since I went to the Trafford Center (now too disabled to walk around) but I used to very much enjoy spending a day there. So many different shops and spoiled for choice of food. There was also a cinema if you wanted to stay on into the evening. Having said that I always visited weekdays or evenings.

mrlistersgelfbride · 28/09/2025 23:28

It’s not for me.
Not been for ages and went this summer.
Went to Sephora with DD ,spent £95 , nearly shit a brick and went home.
I’m from not far away and remember when it first opened, we used to go as teenagers on the bus with £20 in our pocket; it was so exciting!
Everything so expensive now, and I wouldn’t go there on a weekend unless desperate.

QueenOfHiraeth · 28/09/2025 23:10

When it first opened it had promise, some bits had little independent shops and it was new and different.

Unfortunately, like everywhere, the economy has affected it and it is now the same shit as everywhere else with few redeeming features

ByPeachPeer · 28/09/2025 23:05

Hell on earth but not sure re expensive as it's all just chains so same price as anywhere else with the same chain

ByPeachPeer · 28/09/2025 23:05

Hell on earth but not sure re expensive as it's all just chains so same price as anywhere else with the same chain

Offherrockingchair · 28/09/2025 23:02

You’ve got to remember it’s of its time. I remember when it opened and it was great as a teen. It’s aged and now feels dated compared with eg Westfield in Shepherds Bush.

mommatoone · 28/09/2025 22:57

Yes!! I live about 20 minutes away, but I haven't been for about 10 years. It's absolutely packed no matter when.you go!! . My friend and I used to go on a saturday, look around the shops, then lunch. I couldn't think of anything worse nowadays!

3678194b · 28/09/2025 22:44

Went there once and that was enough. There isn't anything unique about it. Same shops as anywhere else.

Morningsleepin · 28/09/2025 22:35

PatsFruitCake · 27/09/2025 18:26

All shopping centres are horrible IMO.

I agree 💯

Gingercar · 28/09/2025 22:26

Does it still have that “wing” of homewear shops like M&S home and Next home etc?

msmillicentcat · 28/09/2025 22:26

Went there today. Haven’t been for about 20 years. It was busy, ok expected on a weekend. The toilets were absolutely disgusting, overflowing and filthy, worst I’ve seen in a shopping centre. Shops were ok, but didn’t see most of the shops I like. Spent so much time looking for shops that seem to be no longer there. The place is very dated and not well maintained unfortunately.

Battical · 28/09/2025 22:26

Yeah, it’s a soulless death maze.

I first visited when it opened and it was massive soulless death maze.

I’ve been a couple of times since and it remains a soulless death maze.

It’s far, far, far too big and as for the “grandeur” - it looks like a sixth form art project.

The road system in the area is like trying to work out the Da Vinci Code.

That said, I do quite like the dinosaur crazy golf nearby.

Icanflyhigh · 28/09/2025 22:25

Lucy5678 · 28/09/2025 19:19

As someone who lives in a city with extremely poor, and rapidly dwindling further, in person shopping opportunities (to the point it’s cheaper and easier to drive 30 miles to the next city for anything bar a supermarket) I think the Trafford Centre is amazing. Easy parking, wide range of shops, can buy food on site - it’s like stepping back in time a couple of decades. I wouldn’t go at peak time on a Saturday though!

This.

Derby is bloody awful.

HellsBells13 · 28/09/2025 22:21

As a Merseysider I loved the Trafford Centre. I remember it being built and possibly being called Dumplington Hall 😁 I now live in the middle of nowhere Northumberland and have to say Gateshead tops Trafford. JL was good though.

UpDo · 28/09/2025 22:15

Not just a Saturday, but payday Saturday for many! It was always going to be horrifying.

Cynic17 · 28/09/2025 22:13

It's horrible and I don't see the attraction - I went a couple of times when it first opened, but haven't been back in over 20 years.
Mind you, I hate all indoor shopping centres - I'd much rather go to an interesting town with some quirky independent shops (not many of those left!).

benfoldsfivefan · 28/09/2025 22:11

It's soulless but then most of these kind of centres always are. They're never nice for strolling about in. It has a good-ish range of shops and if you live close by I can see why it's handy. My rule is to never, ever go on weekends and during the school holidays because of the crowds and dreadful traffic around the centre. I also like that there's a cinema next to the shopping centre.

Redshoeblueshoe · 28/09/2025 22:00

It is home to the worlds worst Waterstones, which really pisses me off.

HollyGolightly4 · 28/09/2025 21:50

IHaveRunOutOfIdeas · 28/09/2025 21:19

We use the John Lewis in Cheadle, much easier to park there.

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It's too far for me to make a regular pilgrimage there!

IHaveRunOutOfIdeas · 28/09/2025 21:19

HollyGolightly4 · 28/09/2025 21:14

Do not understand why there isn't a John Lewis in town, it's very annoying!😓

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We use the John Lewis in Cheadle, much easier to park there.

IHaveRunOutOfIdeas · 28/09/2025 21:17

ExtraOnions · 28/09/2025 19:22

Traff is always like that at weekend .. we go early, have breakfast / brunch, mooch the shops, then Bubble Tea for the way home.

It was particularly busy round there today - I did a Costco, was there for 11, so heading home at 12, and the M60 was rammed.

We were also there around 12, went for opening times to do an Apple Store click and collect but it took ages! Sundays are usually pretty busy but agree with the roads being rammed too!

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