'It's happening': Signs go up for new Trafford Centre shops after major deal

The signs are up as the biggest Trafford Centre redevelopment of the year is now taking shape

Excitement is building among fashion fans after the Trafford Centre announced its newest arrival - amid the shopping mall's biggest redevelopment of the year.

The signs are now up as major international fashion retailer Bershka begins to take shape on Peel Avenue at the Trafford Centre - alongside what will be huge new "upsized" stores for Zara and Pull&Bear.

The three fashion brands are all owned by the same fashion giant, Inditex, who confirmed a major leasing deal with the Trafford Centre earlier this month that sees them take over the former Marks and Spencer site on Peel Avenue.

It had been left vacant ever since M&S moved to its new megastore location at Regent Crescent last year.

The arrival of Bershka at the Trafford Centre signals the return of the brand to Greater Manchester. The retailer is known for its womenswear, menswear and teen clothing ranges, including its coveted Hello Kitty collaboration, but the nearest physical stores are currently in Liverpool and Birmingham.

With the hoardings for the stores now in place at the Trafford Centre, shoppers can now see exactly where the fashion brands will be situated.

They will all have a huge presence along Peel Avenue - at the section closest to John Lewis, and sitting opposite Boots.

Bershka will take on a key space on the upper mall, sitting inside the domed area with staircase which overlooks the dolphin fountain below.

The M.E.N. understands that work is being undertaken to transform the units here back to one floor - taking down the mezzanine level that used to exist inside the old M&S store.

Sitting alongside Bershka on the upper level will be the new-look Pull&Bear store in a larger unit than its current location further along Peel Avenue near Selfridges.

Meanwhile the expanded Zara will take over the huge space on the ground floor of Peel Avenue that was formerly occupied by the M&S food hall and childrenswear sections.

It also spreads across to consolidated smaller units in this section of the centre - that included the former Halifax bank, Post Office and Lakeland stores.

The move will see Zara depart from its current upper and lower mall position further along Peel Avenue - with news on what will be replacing it set to be announced soon.

As to when all three stores will open? Trafford Centre bosses have confirmed that they are all set to open at "the end of summer 2025".

The Trafford Centre announced the news on their social media feeds saying "STOP EVERYTHING! Bershka is finally coming to Trafford Centre" which was greeted with excitement from fashion fans.

Among the comments were "can't wait", and "OMG soooo excited it's happening".

In their statement issued to media they said: "Global fashion retail group, Inditex, is set to relocate and upsize its Zara and Pull & Bear stores to a new location at Trafford Centre, with Bershka joining the centre for the first time.

"Opening at the end of summer 2025, the three new stores will separately occupy flagship stores on Peel Avenue.

"Inditex’s investment in increasing its footprint and bringing new brands demonstrates the global appeal of Trafford Centre.

"The relevant expansion of Zara and Pull&Bear and the launch of Bershka’s new store will provide a better shopping experience by bringing larger improved stores and a new much-loved brand."

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It went on to add that the expansion marks a "significant investment from Inditex, reinforcing the centre’s position as a key retail destination".

The move comes as the Trafford Centre continues to report strong consumer performance, with footfall up 10.3% year-on-year and sales rising by 8.6% in 2024.

Simon Layton, centre director at Trafford Centre, said: “This exciting new deal with Inditex demonstrates that Trafford Centre is going from strength to strength, and highlights our wider commitment to improving the customer experience for our guests.

"The addition of Bershka to complement the already hugely popular Zara and Pull&Bear means our guests can enjoy an unrivalled fashion experience on their visit to Trafford Centre.”