The biggest ever revamp of one of the Trafford Centre's most iconic spots has begun, with works underway to transform The Orient food hall. The vast space, designed to look like the inside of a cruise ship, has had the same look and furniture since the shopping centre first opened 28 years ago.
It is perhaps the best known, and most used, space at the shopping mall due to the huge number of food operators here, providing shoppers with a spot to rest and refuel since the mall first opened in 1998. Now, bosses have begun a major refresh, which will include all new seating across the main plaza for the first time. The majority of seats in the space, which have a wooden deck style, have been there since the Trafford Centre opened.
New seating and lighting
Lighting will also be improved amid customer complaints that the food hall is too dark, while the aim is to transform the aesthetic to a "modern day cruiseliner" instead of an ageing ship deck. It will feature more family-friendly seating zones for the first time.
Bosses say the refurb reflects customer demands for more accessible seating options across the vast Orient hall, as well as more spaces for people to use laptops and recharge phones. The revamp is now underway and, in order to minimise disruption to shoppers, it is to be completed in phased sections.
Seating capacity to increase by 60%
It will bring a massive increase in the number of seats across the space - up by 60 per cent - from around 700 to over 1,200 seats. For those feeling nostalgic for the old wooden chairs, bosses have confirmed they will be donating as many as possible to local charities and organisations.
Shoppers will notice barriers go up around certain areas of seating in the coming weeks as the revamp progresses. But centre bosses have stressed that it will all be complete in time for the hectic festive run-in before Christmas.
In a statement, centre bosses explained the reasons behind the "major refresh of seating and customer facilities within The Orient", which is to create a more "vibrant and welcoming environment for guests to eat, meet and relax." They say the project forms part of the centre's "ongoing commitment to enhancing the visitor experience and follows continued investment across its retail, leisure and dining destinations."
Design inspired by a contemporary cruise liner
The improvements are designed to "minimise disruption while creating a more comfortable and contemporary dining environment." The refreshed area will increase seating capacity by more than 60%, introducing a range of new seating styles including banquettes, family-friendly tables, accessible seating for guests with mobility requirements, and dedicated areas equipped with phone and laptop charging facilities.
The new-look space will feature upgraded furniture, enhanced lighting and planting, alongside flexible areas designed to encourage visitors to spend longer in The Orient. Inspired by The Orient's longstanding maritime heritage, the design takes cues from a "contemporary cruise liner", combining elegant finishes, modern furnishings and a refreshed colour palette to create a brighter, more comfortable and welcoming environment.
A Trafford Centre spokesperson said: "The Orient is one of the most popular destinations within Trafford Centre, welcoming millions of visitors each year. This investment reflects our commitment to continually improving the experience for our guests, creating a more modern, comfortable and social environment where visitors can meet, dine and spend time together. The improvements will not only significantly increase seating capacity but also deliver a much more flexible and accessible space for all visitors to enjoy."
The news comes after a programme of investment across the centre's infrastructure, including a major upgrade to escalators including at the Main Dome over the summer. The centre's toilets are also undergoing major refurbishment, with the blocks next to Marks and Spencer currently being completed. The Orient toilets, which are the biggest in the centre, will also be getting a major refurbishment, but not until after Christmas.
Earlier this week the MEN revealed that The Trafford Centre has reached an extraordinary milestone - hitting 100 per cent occupancy across its shopping malls. There have been a number of high profile openings in recent weeks, including fitness stores GARAGE and Lululemon and toy shop The Entertainer. Next week will see the official opening of one of the biggest stores of the year when UNIQLO arrives on Peel Avenue, with expected huge queues after giveaways and discounts were announced for the grand opening on Thursday, October 15.
