The Trafford Centre MAJOR REWRITE

Advantages: Free to park, lots of shops and decent entertainment sections too.
Disadvantages: Gets busy at weekends, some very expensive places to shop and eat.

...NOTE : I have re-written this op almost completely as I felt I had more to add (and I'd already started it before realising I did it already - DOH) The Trafford Centre may well be the shoppers idea of Paradise (Moose perks up her ears.) Opened in September 1998, and just a stones throw from where I was living at the time, the massive centre took shape on top of previously overgrown waste ground in Davyhulme, Manchester. The Trafford Centre is among the largest shopping centres in Europe, but it has more to offer than just shops, as I’ll explain later. Before I go on I’ll say two things which make me qualified to write this op, firstly I’m a shopaholic, and secondly with the centre on my doorstep for 3 years I used to go there amazingly regularly, so I know it pretty well. As a result I’ve reviewed it...

Nameless 22.02.2001 (29.06.2001) · Read review
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Review of The Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre

Advantages: Everything is under one roof
Disadvantages: Not enough cafe's

...In Oct 2000, 3 friends and l, took ourselves off for a weekend of girly shopping to Manchester. Our first stop was IKEA (obviously!) and then we moved on to that shopping Mecca - The Trafford Centre. I had heard various reports - "Three miles of Shops in one place" being the most striking, so we were full of high hopes. Having got parked relatively easy - which we were surprised at, we made our way inside. Stores such as Debenham, Selfridges, Boots, The Pier etc etc all jumped out. Every high street store imaginable was there. We split up meeting up every so often to compare purchases and re-fuel! So what did l think of the experience, well indeed there were lots of shops to choose from - but l think 3 miles was an exaggeration slightly! Overall though l wasnt impressed - there was nothing different really, or unusal...

purdy 23.02.2001 · Read review
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Review of The Trafford Centre

Thw Trafford Centre - Welcome To Shopping Heaven

Advantages: Great variety and suitable for all ages.
Disadvantages: Queues can be big to enter and exit the complex especially at rush hour

...To me the trafford centre is a completely different world. The trafford centre is located on the edge of the Manchester orbital Motorway (M60) and is set back close to trafford park hence the name the trafford centre. The trafford centre caters for all tastes wherever expensive or budget. Or exquisite or ordinary run of the mill. The shops range to the High quality and prices of Selfridges (The only one outside of london) and to the welcome high street name of Sock Shop. The trafford centre has aproximately 50,000 free car parking spaces with about half of them under shelter to allow you to enter the complex while keeping under shelter from wind rain whatever the weather throws at you. There are excellent facilities for the disabled at the trafford centre. They provide fee wheelchair loand and scooter hire to allow...

atlantis140 11.04.2001 · Read review
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Review of The Trafford Centre

Old Trafford, Manchester

Advantages: there's nothing like it !!
Disadvantages: bad rep for atmosphere

...their delight with 67,000 other people, as well as giving back all their talents in turn. Whether it be the pure ecstasy of seeing a goal scored, or the success of winning a trophy, Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, is truly the experience of a lifetime?..? The ground --------------- In the past Old Trafford has, at times, been classed as not being the most picturesque stadium in England, let alone Europe. But these days, with the extensions to both the East and West stands, as well is the planned quadrant fill-ins between those stands and the North stand, Old Trafford is truly a sight to behold. On countless occasions visiting fans, even Arsenal, have had their very own fans praise OT for the view, the organisation and security levels, which is of great testament to the work that United put in. For me personally, Old Trafford...

ManUtdBoi 29.09.2004 · Read review
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Review of Old Trafford

Trafford Spender!

Advantages: Wide range of shops, plenty of places to eat, easily accessible by Public transport
Disadvantages: Can get very busy, especially in the school Holidays & at Xmas

.... The TC is located in an area locally known as Trafford Park (one of the largest industrial estates in the UK) in Manchester. It is about 20 minute's car drive away from the centre of Manchester. The TC is, as well as being a shopping centre for locals, a Tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the UK. Regular coach trips visit the TC and many a people are seen taking pictures of their family members in front of the picturesque interior of the TC. Over 6,000 people are employed at the TC. What can the TC offer me? The TC attracts millions of visitors per year - in fact nearly 30 million people visit so it must have something! To start with, before you even get into the shops, there are 10,000 free parking spaces. All car parks are constantly monitored with CCTV to protect shoppers and prevent car...

jayandfoo 14.06.2005 · Read review
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Review of The Trafford Centre

Stag Do Shenannigans

Advantages: Clean, top location for shopping, reasonably priced
Disadvantages: a pain to get to on a saturday afternoon, thin walls

...Being of the age where it seems everyone and I mean everyone is getting married around you. I have been to more weddings than I care to mention this year. With these weddings there has been stag do's, taking in such cultural hotspots as Amsterdam, Cardiff, Newcastle and Brno (Czech Republic). All these places chosen for their museums, architecture, and many art galleries on offer. Lumped inbetween Cardiff and Amsterdam was a one night extravaganza in Manchester, not my choice of destination and obviously for legal reasons and for fear of breaking the unwritten Omerta of "what happens on the stag stays on the stag, I cannot divulge any possible events on the stag, but having sought written permission from the groom-to-be and the best man I am able to share with you a review of the hotel I stayed in?.. The Premier Inn Trafford Centre...

Funzo 09.10.2008 (10.10.2008) · Read review
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Review of Premier Travel Inn Manchester - Trafford Centre - South, Manchester

Try the Trafford centre for a great day out

Advantages: All under one roof, great shops, lots of places to eat, caters for everyones needs
Disadvantages: Can sometimes be crowded

...I first visited the Trafford Centre a couple of years ago. I now live in Manchester and frequently visit the centre. There are over 280 shops within the complex, 35 restaurants. It is also Europe’s largest foodcourt. The opening hours are as follows: Mon-Fri 10 am-9 pm, Saturday 9 am-7 pm, Sunday 12 noon-6pm. Also, parking isn’t a problem if you’re driving to the centre, as there are 10,000 free parking spaces. The Trafford Centre is located next to junctions 9 and 10 of the M60 Manchester Orbital Motorway, (formerly the M63). Also bus services operate from all parts of the region direct to their own on-site bus-station. The clothes shops include Selfridges, BHS, H&M, Debenhams and many more. There are many designer shops, and loads of really good discount and bargain shops. The shops cater for everyone...

emma_fitzgerald 15.04.2001 · Read review
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Review of The Trafford Centre

New Trafford

Advantages: huge,big sales,clean & tidy, all the brands
Disadvantages: too far away from Manchester

...When 1st I went to Trafford Centre, I can say I was amazed. I’ve been to a lot of shopping malls, shopping centres, or whatever. I’ve been to Italy, Hungary, Spain, but I have to admit that Trafford was by lots to far the biggest, most completed, most tidy and many many pros more. A friend of mine suggested it to me so I took Mrs aek21 to go by train. When we arrive in Piccadilly station we knew were to go. Thanks God ‘cause the town is in a very big mess and no one knows where to go. Anyway we went to Manchester Piccadilly bus station ant we took the bus 250. We paid £3.60 pp return and after a 20’ drive we end up to the Trafford Centre. You can go by car if you want. the last thing to worry about is where to park your car, as with 10,000 free spaces and 350 bus spaces you are sure tha you will not struggle...

aek21 01.02.2002 (13.04.2002) · Read review
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Review of The Trafford Centre

Heart of Manchester - Arndale Centre.

Advantages: City Centre - range of Activities, easy access. Friendly place to meet.
Disadvantages: Often very crowded, quite small compared to The trafford centre. Food Court is also a bit small.

...importantly, another Starbucks. The Arndale has coped surprisingly well with its main rival and although some shops are still located on the streets around the Arndale, it's still a centre worth visiting. In the rain, you may feel the Trafford Centre is a better option as it gets very busy in freak downpours. And it being much smaller than the Trafford Centre, may cause a problem especially in wild weather, which Manchester loves to throw at you. The shop choice is excellent, its modern, fun and exciting, the range of shops is unlimited and of course, there is also the Arndale Market. This increases your options for a great day out. My only reservations are the food court; it is far too small for the business it gets, you often find yourself standing with a tray, but in extremely busy days such as Saturday Afternoon. It's usually better to head...

stuartackers 06.04.2006 · Read review
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Review of Manchester Arndale Centre

Old Trafford (Cricket), Manchester

Advantages: Atmosphere at key games, facilities
Disadvantages: Lack of covered seating, can feel empty.

...Old Trafford Cricket Ground is situated in Stretford, on Talbout road a good few miles out of Manchester City Centre. It has "test status" which means, according to the ECB (English Cricket Board) it has the facilities, transport links, and crowd capacity to cope with and to execute the hosting of international matches to a high standard. On a "good day" it can take 22,000 people, although generally there are never more than half that many people attending popular matches involving Lancashire, the home county. With Manchester being known nationally as the "Rainy City" it is no surprise that the drainage facilities on the actual playing service have been constantly improved over the last 5 years. Unfortunatley, there is only ONE covered stand (discounting the Pavilion - for 'members' only) for spectators to shelter under, which...

jedimasterlincoln 15.01.2008 · Read review
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Review of Old Trafford Cricket Ground