Milestone year for Peel’s Trafford Palazzo

Peel is celebrating a milestone year for Trafford Palazzo, the UK’s first next-generation experience centre.

With nearly 60,000 sq ft of new deals secured in 2023, investment into TP Glow – Trafford Palazzo’s dedicated white box promotional space – and exciting developments next to the centre, the destination has grown its footfall by seven per cent in the year.

Across the calendar year, Trafford Palazzo has introduced a blend of retail and leisure. NERF AX, a first-of-its-kind family leisure concept created by a collaboration between Rocafella Leisure Group and renowned toys and games brand, Hasbro, made its entrance to the destination this autumn.

This now sits alongside food and drink provided by Manchester favourite, Archie’s, fitted out with the casual dining brand’s signature fluorescent pink interior.

NERF AX joined other innovative leisure operators, such as flagship state-of-the-art bowling and gaming operator, King Pins, as well as the ‘most Instagrammable café in the world’, EL&N, with its iconic intricate floral displays and pink décor.

Customers are both staying longer – the 97 minutes dwell far exceeding the industry average of 72 minutes – and travelling further to experience the centre, with an average drive time of 50 minutes, against a national benchmark of 19 minutes.

This year also marked the launch of TP Glow, which has been designed as a flexible, easy-to-fit-out opportunity for smaller businesses to showcase their brands in a physical retail format. TP Glow has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors, with residencies from up to 50 brands such as luxury sample sale provider, Showcase, achieving one of its highest conversion rates yet.

Since its acquisition by Peel in 2021, and rebranding as Trafford Palazzo, the destination has undergone a significant transformation. Further signings will be announced in early 2024.

Mark Whittaker, executive director – property investment and management at Peel, said: “2023 has been a truly landmark year for Trafford Palazzo. Our vision for Trafford Palazzo is really coming to fruition, with 2024 set to be equally as exciting. More brands of international renown – including some experiences you won’t find anywhere else – are set to join the destination, so it’s a fantastic time to be part of the Trafford Palazzo community.”