Retailing Case Study - Old Trafford Centre

Question 1

when did the trafford centre open

Answer 1

10th September 1998

Question 2

what is its location and size

Answer 2

it was build on a brownfield site in the industrial area of Trafford Park. The site covers 150 acres which is the largest catchment area in the UK for a shopping centre

Question 3

how much did the Trafford Centre cost to complete

Answer 3

£600 million

Question 4

how many people live within a 45 minute drive

Answer 4

5.3 million people (8% of UK’s population)

Question 5

how many people visit the trafford centre each year

Answer 5

30 million

Question 6

what are the different services that the Trafford Centre offers

Answer 6

• over 200 shops
• 1600 seat food court
• 20 screen cinema
• crazy golf
• ten pin bowling
• laser quest
• indoor climbing wall

Question 7

how is the trafford centre accessible

Answer 7

close to the M60 (for people coming from outside of Manchester) and M602 going into the city centre
-lots of buses going direct from Manchester to the Trafford Centre

Question 8

how many spaces are there and how is congestion reduced

Answer 8

11500 free parking spaces and a traffic control system reducing congestion and car parking times

Question 9

what makes the Trafford Centre suitable for everyone at any time of the year and day

Answer 9

• indoors with air conditioning protecting customers from the weather at all times
• long open hours (open until 10pm M-F and 8pm on sat and 6pm on sun)

Question 10

how has the Trafford Centre negatively impacted the surrounding area

Answer 10

• most visitors drive to the centre - causes congestion and pollution, particularly at busy times e.g. Christmas
• impacted on shopping in surrounding towns - fewer people going to town centres to shop or for leisure activities as they can’t compete with advantages of Trafford Centre (free parking).
• Altrincham suffered badly - 37% of shops vacant in 2010 93 times national average of 13%.

Question 11

how has the Trafford Centre positively impacted on the surrounding area

Answer 11

• supports local community projects and charities. E.g. Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital through fundraising and donations
• centre provides work experience for local school students studying Retail Business
• 8000 people are employed at Trafford Centre - receive benefits like healthcare and childcare vouchers
• centre is growing - offers wide range of services, attracts more customers and brings more economic benefits (jobs). E.g. Legoland discovery centre opened in 2010

Question 12

what schemes are helping to manage the negative impacts

Answer 12

• centre is investing into improving public transport, cycle and pedestrian routes to help reduce traffic. there is now 40 bus services an hour to and from the centre and a shuttle bus to the Metrolink tram system
• 2011, Altrincham Forward (board of local business owners, residents, councillors) produced the Altrincham Town Centre Action plan which outlines strategies to draw people into the town including establishing an annual calendar of events in the town and reducing car park fees