The Trafford Centre…Shop ‘til u cop! (Trafford Centre)

Member Name: harlequin1

Product:	Trafford Centre
Date:	04/01/02 (1698 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see op

Disadvantages: see op

What a fantastic place the Trafford Centre is, for shopping or for a night out.

We decided to visit for the January Sales and we had an absolutely brilliant day.

According to the website at www.traffordcentre.co.uk. and to all their advertising, the Trafford Centre is easily accessible by public transport. We found this to be a slightly different story when we tried it. We had to take three trains, a tram and a bus to get there but I guess that all depends where you are travelling from.
A taxi from Manchester Piccadilly will cost you £11.00. It is cheaper to take the Metro link (a tram and a bus) but it takes a while longer.

It took us almost three hours to do a journey that would have taken three quarters of an hour in a car. The only problem with taking the car is, if you are anything like me you would never find it again once you had left it in the car park. With over 10,000 free car parking spaces, the car parks are huge.
The opening times are pretty amazing for a shopping centre.
The shops are open: -
Monday-Friday 10am-10pm
Saturday 9am-7pm
Sunday 12pm-6pm
The Restaurants are open: -
Monday-Friday 10am-Midnight
Saturday 9am-Midnight
Sunday 11am-Midnight
The Cinemas are open: -
Monday-Thursday 10am-Midnight
Friday 10am-3am
Saturday 9am-3am
Sunday 11am-Midnight

Once inside there is almost every major store that you can think of including Selfridges, Boots, Debenhams, Bhs, Marks and Spencers, HMV, Ciro Citterro and Beaverbrooks. Far too many to list here although you can get a full list at their website.

There is a fantastic range of cafes, bars and restaurants from Mcdonalds through to Bradwells English Restaurant. Every taste in food is catered for; English, Chinese, French, Indian, Mexican, Greek, American, Italian restaurants can all be found, a
s well as coffee shops and bars.

In The Orient, as the food court is called, there is also a raised stage and big screen for the many events that are held there. The amusement arcade and ten pin bowling is also in this area, as is the 20 screen Cinema.

Stairs and lifts are all over the shopping centre and it is really well thought out for the disabled. The malls are very wide and all doorways are wheelchair friendly. The Trafford Centre also operates a no smoking policy. It was a bit of a pain having to find an exit every time I wanted a nicotine fix but on the whole it makes the place a lot nicer and fresher which is all part of the appeal. The many fountains around the centre also help with the atmosphere and the décor itself is very tranquil. There are many murals and paintings on the walls and ceilings and there are themed areas of the shopping centre such as Chinatown and New Orleans.

There are crèche facilities available as well as an adventure play area and a kids club. Face painting can be found and there are dodgem cars in the amusement arcade.

Customer services are fantastic…I can vouch for that. I got separated from my 10-year-old daughter for almost an hour on our visit, and was really starting to get my knickers in a knot. (You read such terrible things though!). Trafford Centre employees are instantly recognisable as they wear bright red jackets and they were really helpful. My daughter was happily munching chocolate in the care of a Trafford Centre employee when we found her and was definitely none the worse for her experience.Thanks again to them.

You must be wondering by now about the title of this opinion…Shop ‘til u cop!

This is one of the upcoming events to be held at the Trafford Centre.
It is a singles shopping night, which has become a quarterly event at the centre due to its fantastic success.
Single shoppers wear a badge stating their marital status and photos
are displayed on a contacts board so that other single visitors can leave their details alongside a picture, which catches their eye. I think this is an absolutely brilliant idea, as I know if I were out on the pull I would rather do it alone mooching around the shops than alone in a pub. The shops bars and restaurants join in with the event by offering promotions aimed at single people. There is also reduced rate admission to the cinema for visitors taking part in the event.
The next singles night is due to be held in February.
If you fancy working there, the centre even has its own employment unit with listings of available positions throughout the complex and advisors to help point you in the direction of the job for you.

In spring 2002 they are set to open an interactive ride at the centre called “The Magical Journey”. It will be a Disney style ride featuring special effects including smells, lighting and music as well as moving and talking characters. I think that this sounds lovely and will all add to the experience.

If you live too far away or want to stay to enjoy one of the late events you can always stay in the Tulip Inn, which is the Trafford Centre Hotel. At £49.50 per room per night you could make a real weekend of it.

Definitely would recommend this as a day out although it could turn out expensive if you are a shopoholic like me.

Summary: