Trafford Palazzo has delivered another milestone year of leasing activity, securing over 47,000 sqft of new lettings and opening more than 55,000 sqft of store space in 2025. Trafford Palazzo has also achieved a strong year for footfall with an 8.4% YTD increase compared to 2024, which reinforces the destination’s position as one of the North West’s leading shopping and leisure destinations.
Peel Retail & Leisure, who own and operate Trafford Palazzo, have invested in a programme of asset improvement works across Trafford Palazzo throughout the year. This investment included upgrades to infrastructure, heating systems, and guest facilities and a new stage under the dome, showcasing the long-term commitment from Peel Retail & Leisure to elevating the customer experience and drive Trafford Palazzo’s next phase of growth.
On top of investment into the centre, Trafford Palazzo also activated a strategic partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester, marking a significant moment in the placemaking of Trafford Palazzo within TraffordCity. The partnership included the official renaming of the Barton Dock Road Metrolink stop on the Trafford Park line, which serves 2.4 million passengers annually, to “Trafford Palazzo”, creating a direct and clear connection between Greater Manchester’s transport network and the experiential destination.
Across all leasing activity in 2025 Trafford Palazzo has continued to attract major national brands, supported by sustained consumer demand and the centre’s ongoing evolution within the wider TraffordCity masterplan.
Trafford Palazzo welcomed two major high-street names in 2025, Sports Direct (40,000sq ft) and Great Britain’s first standalone Primark Home (15,275 sqft), underscoring the destination’s growing appeal to leading national operators. Both brands committed to prominent spaces within the centre, drawn by its strong footfall, evolving tenant mix and positioning at the heart of TraffordCity’s wider growth.
A landmark signing this year was P.Louise, with the announcement of the viral beauty brand’s first-ever permanent retail destination, P.Louise City. Opening in early 2026, the 19,741 sqft, two-floor flagship will redefine the brand’s retail experience and further strengthen Trafford Palazzo’s beauty and lifestyle offer. Another exciting new tenant elevating Trafford Palazzo’s offering next year is Everlast Gyms, which will bring a 28,000 sqft next-generation fitness space with industry-leading training facilities and high-impact classes, enhancing the destination’s active lifestyle credentials ahead of the arrival of Therme Manchester in TraffordCity.
The new signings, combined with the wider appeal of Trafford Palazzo, has enabled higher spend and dwell time which has been backed by a recent CACI survey of Trafford Palazzo uncovering retail spend is up 30%, leisure spend increased by 63%, as well as average dwell time increasing to 1hr 52 mins in 2025.
2025 was also a successful year for the centre’s free events programme, which is dedicated to providing additional experiences and entertainment to visitors. This year’s programme saw over 7,000 visitors join the events which included a six-week summer activation named ‘The Palazzo Games’, as well as offerings during school holiday periods and seasonal moments such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day.
Alongside a vibrant calendar of community activities, Trafford Palazzo partnered with several charities to deliver meaningful events. Highlights included the annual Wave of Light remembrance and fundraiser with Tommy’s Charity, offering support to families affected by pregnancy and baby loss. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Christie Charity benefited from a fundraising event hosted by Trafford Palazzo. Continuing its commitment to charitable causes, Peel Retail and Leisure worked closely with Destination Florida helping raise more than £2800 to provide a once-in-a-lifetime trip for children with life-limiting conditions from the north of England.
Mark Whittaker, managing director at Peel Retail & Leisure, said: “2025 has been a pivotal year for Trafford Palazzo. We’ve welcomed high-quality brands, delivered significant investment into the destination and continued to build an offer that resonates strongly with both retailers and visitors. TraffordCity is entering a transformational phase, and Trafford Palazzo is extremely well positioned to benefit from the increased footfall and commercial interest this will generate. We are also incredibly proud of our social impact initiatives and the partnerships we have built on this year with charities including Tommy’s, The Christie and Destination Florida.”
2026 is set to be another landmark year for Trafford Palazzo, and the arrival of P.Louise City, Everlast Gyms and more will mark a new chapter of experiential retail and wellbeing. Building on the momentum of 2025, Trafford Palazzo is poised to unlock even greater footfall, commercial performance and visitor appeal next year, signalling an exciting next phase in Trafford Palazzo’s evolution as the North West’s leading retail and leisure destination.
