To think the Trafford centre is horrible?

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

I really wanted John Lewis to move into the old Debenhams building in the city centre so I didn’t have to go to Trafford for one!

It’s an indoor shopping centre full of retail chain stores; I don’t enjoy going but I don’t think it’s worse than any other shopping centre of that kind.

I guess it depends whether you see shopping malls as places for a fun day out or just a means to an end. For me, a shopping mall is always a means to an end, simply a place I go when I really need to visit one or more specific stores they have there. So they all feel like much of a muchness to me, as I have no expectations of the experience beyond going to the shops I need to visit and then going home again.

I live in Manchester and I probably only ever go to the Trafford Centre once a year or so when I need to go to a John Lewis - anything else I’d shop for in Manchester city centre, as I much prefer walking round a city to walking round a shopping mall.

I went today. I hate it usually but it was tolerable in the shops. The walkways were busy but I didn’t get the rage I usually get so that was a win! Agree though that daytime or evenings make it a nicer experience.

I have rules about going to the Trafford Centre. Never arrive after 11.30 on a Saturday. Don't go on weekends at all in November and December. I was there yesterday in fact from about 10.15 -12.00 and it was fine at that point. I would rather not go but John Lewis refuse to open in town, and I have to drive pretty much past the door of the Trafford Centre to get to the one in Cheadle, which makes no sense.

Evenings are better. There’s a good choice of shops and lots to choose from food wise. I wouldn’t go on a Saturday.

We went yesterday too, was madness. 5 hours maximum parking seems a bit odd, it took me about 20 minutes of that to get out of our bit of the Regent car park. Full of botox-ed women with fake tans and eyelashes. My DD has just moved nearby but we won't be going back anytime soon.

Not been to that shopping centre but frequently have to walk from Stratford to Stratford International on a Saturday and the way to go is through Westfield. It's such a nasty experience. I'd quite like to go to John Lewis but all I need to do when getting in there is get out.

Weekday mornings are the only time to go. Arrive just before opening 10. Leave around 11.30 as it gets busy. Weekends are horrific. Those huge families all wandering round but buying very little with multiple small children. Just why??

It’s horrible.Try Meadowhall instead, bit more of a chilled atmosphere and easy by train.

One does not simply go to the Trafford Centre on a weekend and expect it to be quiet.

That way madness lies.

It's the destination equivalent of an Orange spray tan.

Pretentious bit ultimately chinsy and cheap.

Went there once and it just felt vulgar. Fake and needless.

Hate the shops. Love all the marble and statues with boobies. You never get modern places that are decorative and ornate any more and I'm here for that part.

We were once there about a hundred years ago, and Gok Wan was filming How To Look Good Naked, but this was before the first series had even aired.

This poor woman strutting down the runway in the food court in her bra and knicks, surrounded by hundreds of confused shoppers chowing down on their Maccies and Spud U Likes

I went once 20 years ago. Never again. Kids have been more recently and they feel the same way.
Hope you recover soon - sending thoughts and prayers.

I completely agree, it's awful I feel like people are constantly walking at me. I used to absolutely love the Trafford Centre. I remember when it first opened, I was a teenager. I used to visit least twice a week with my parents. We would go after school/work, it was a lovely place for a stroll, not like now!

Its fine and certainly no more expensive than anywhere else.
You DO have to time it right though, I once got trapped there one Boxing Day when the carpark was gridlocked.
Its always bloody hot though so I go in a Tshirt and rush to/from the car if its cold or raining

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.

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. I go on weekdays only. I like the range of shops, it's always clean and the food hall is great.

Last time I was there it was a vision of hell, I won’t be going again

It being expensive is hardly the fault of the Trafford Centre is it. Everything is expensive everywhere.

Nobody pays for it! It's always empty

I mean it is awful on a Saturday but everywhere is particularly bad this weekend because of Freshers week apparently, town was incredibly busy today. I enjoy the insane camp vibes of the Trafford Centre, all the bacon coloured marble and fountains, weird display pieces, the theming of the food court as a cruise ship. It's truly mad and that brings me joy because there's nowhere like it. But yeah go on a weekday and it's much more chilled - I do find it very hot in there (and it feels like a swimming pool) so crowds just make it worse.

I cannot understand how you were surprised by any of those things