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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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!

OP posts:
Cheddars · 27/09/2025 18:23

Same! I don’t like malls in general, they make me feel really claustrophobic. It’s such a relief to get back outside!

Cliffedge25 · 27/09/2025 18:24

Yeah it’s a bit shit.
food hall is ok though.
Also won’t be going back there.

TravellersJoy · 27/09/2025 18:25

I hate it, haven’t been there for over ten years.

PatsFruitCake · 27/09/2025 18:26

All shopping centres are horrible IMO.

GloryFades · 27/09/2025 18:26

It’s no more expensive than anywhere else.

Notmyreality · 27/09/2025 18:26

Obviously Saturday is the worst day to go. During the week it’s bearable.

Cushionseams · 27/09/2025 18:26

You went on a Saturday - what on earth did you expect it to be like?

Fillyfrog · 27/09/2025 18:29

I think it's fab. Granted I wouldn't go at a weekend or Friday night, hell on earth 🙈. I usually go with friends on a weekday straight from the school run, it's dead. Or a week night. Huge M&S and Zara. The only thing I'd change is there's a few too many designer brands I'm not interested in.

Its actually pretty stunning if you look how much details are in the ceilings, marble, statues, fountains, especially the food court.

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 27/09/2025 18:29

You were surprised the Trafford Centre was busy on a Saturday??!

I mean it's not very nice but it's just a shopping centre isn't it. It has its place, serves a purpose. I like being able to drive up to the door at 9pm, walk in with no queues, do what I need to do and get out. I certainly wouldn't go there for fun and no way would I even attempt it on a Saturday.

sciaticafanatica · 27/09/2025 18:30

Has always been that way… they have managed to add tho the shitness with paid vip parking now 🙄

BoredZelda · 27/09/2025 18:31

I went with my daughter on a 4 day trip to Manchester. I loved it. I’m not a shopper, but I thought the atmosphere was great, loved that it was open late into the evening and the food court had a load of good options.

BallerinaRadio · 27/09/2025 18:32

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

gudetamathelazyegg · 27/09/2025 18:33

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.

Fillyfrog · 28/09/2025 18:44

sciaticafanatica · 27/09/2025 18:30

Has always been that way… they have managed to add tho the shitness with paid vip parking now 🙄

Nobody pays for it! It's always empty

brunettemic · 28/09/2025 18:59

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

pomers · 28/09/2025 19:12

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

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 28/09/2025 19:14

Cushionseams · 27/09/2025 18:26

You went on a Saturday - what on earth did you expect it to be like?

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

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!

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.

Hoppinggreen · 28/09/2025 19:27

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

North87 · 28/09/2025 19:32

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!

HarrietSchulenberg · 28/09/2025 19:35

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.

DollopOfFun · 28/09/2025 19:39

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

LividHome · 28/09/2025 19:59

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.

InOverMyHead84 · 28/09/2025 20:03

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.