OUR COMMUNITY

Trafford Centre sits at the heart of our local community.

We’re not just a shopping centre – we offer a social, cultural and educational space, employ over 10,000 people locally and fundraise each year for local and national causes.

Without our community, we wouldn’t be the centre that we are today.

We’re always working to ensure Trafford Centre is as accessible and inclusive as it can be, with a corporate social responsibility covering diversity, equality, and sustainability.

GIVING BACK TO OUR PEOPLE

CHARITIES, EVENTS & VOLUNTEERING

We are dedicated to making a positive impact in our local community. Through collaboration, fundraising, and support, we aim to uplift those in need and create lasting change.

As a responsible business with a sustainable approach, we always look to minimise our environmental impact and continually source opportunities to support local businesses through donated goods. As well as being a popular shopping and leisure destination, we play a massive part in the local economy. We employ over 240 people directly, with a further 10,000 people working in stores and restaurants across the centre.

In 2024 alone, we supported over 50 local organisations, helping raise over £110,000!

some of the things we do

  • 99th Garrison

    Throughout the year, keep your eyes peeled for our roaming Star Wars costuming group, who visit the centre regularly collecting donations for our centre charities.

  • TC Stars

    During Christmas 2024, Trafford Centre was proud to give back to the community with our ‘Name A Star’ initiative, offering a meaningful way to celebrate loved ones while supporting local charities.

  • Christmas Wrapped up

    We asked the children supported by the charity Stockdales to write their Christmas wish list. Our staff surprised over 100 beneficiaries with lots of toys to ensure their Christmas was as memorable as possible.

  • Sling Swing

    The Greater Manchester group – The Parenting Collective CIC hosts a Sling Library here at the Centre every month, offering sling-wearing support delivered by certified babywearing consultants and peer supporters.

  • Fountain fund

    Every single coin dropped into the water by shoppers is washed, cleaned, and donated to a number of local nominated charities.

our supported charities

since 1998

  • ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
  • Alzheimers Society
  • Autism Together
  • BASIC
  • BBC Children in Need
  • Bolton Mountain Rescue Team
  • together trust
  • ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
  • RSPCA
  • Brake

dates to remember

Emergency Services Day

7th August

The North West’s biggest celebration of the emergency services made its welcome return to the Trafford Centre in August 2024.

Now in its tenth year, this free, family event featured hundreds of vehicles, displays and demonstrations, giving an insight into our amazing emergency services.

Raising over £1,500 for charities and with hundreds of different personnel from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, North West Ambulance Service, and Greater Manchester Police, the event was packed with performances from bands and local choirs, service animals and parades, and even Fireman Sam, giving everyone the opportunity to support their local everyday hero.

Watch this space for the event to return bigger and better in 2025.

Rock Choir for Stockdales

13th June

GIVING BACK TO OUR environment

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES

Our approach to running a responsible business is built on partnership, collaboration, and transparency. We’re all about making a positive contribution to our centre and the communities where we live, whilst minimising our impact on the environment.

 

We’re passionate about biodiversity have made significant improvements to our internal and external planting, as well as introducing bat boxes, bird boxes and beehives.

some of the things we do

  • WILDLIFE

    We now house our very own beehives and produce our very own Trafford Centre honey! 100 jars of the honey, along with additional breakfast bags, were delivered to a local school who gave them out to some of their children and families attending a regular foodbank in Eccles.

    We also have a wormery, a hibernaculum, and a family of geese and goslings that return each year.

  • WILDERSPOOL Woods

    Known locally since 1794 as Wilderspool Woods, this woodland hideaway is a tranquil area of natural greenery that was preserved when The Trafford Centre was first built.

    Did you know that this area has been a house, a cottage and later, a farm.

    It’s a haven for lots of wildlife, trees, ponds, and plants as well as a lovely spot for families to explore and enjoy together. We especially like to encourage school trips to the woodland where children can learn whilst they play. You can find this located in Regent 13 car park.

  • BUG HOUSE

    As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and community engagement, this eco-friendly initiative not only supports biodiversity but also raises awareness about the small steps people can take in protecting our local ecosystem.
    At 4.5m long and 1m tall, the Insect Inn spells out ‘Trafford’ and is strategically located on one of the centre’s many green spaces, opposite Marks & Spencer.
    Constructed using regenerative timber, the structure provides a safe habitat for essential pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, as well as other insects like ladybirds and woodlice.

  • FLORA

    We’ve implemented a number of projects including enhanced plant health to all the trees in our planters, establishing a dedicated greenhouse and compost from the site as well as planting over 70,000 bulbs for seasonal displays. We’ve continued to grow our wildflower areas to increase our pollinators and support our butterflies and small insect friends.

  • VEGETABLES

    We grow our own vegetables right here onsite and donate these to those in our local community.
    Potatoes, carrots, cabbages, and onions have all been harvested and collected by Cracking Good Food, a fantastic initiative that campaigns against food waste, using surplus unwanted items to re-distribute to local causes. We’re building a new greenhouse for 2025 so we can grow and distribute more homegrown veg than ever before.

Accessibility, diversity & inclusion

  • QUIET HOUR

    10AM EVERY WEDNESDAY
  • HIDDEN DISABILITIES

    Sunflower Lanyards Available

Educational Trips

Whether you’re looking for an educational trip, an end of term reward or some talk from our staff, get in touch with us here. We’re committed to building skills and creating opportunities for young people, proudly supporting local schools, colleagues and new university UA92.

Mental health and well-being

We work tirelessly to make sure visiting the Trafford Centre is both fun and safe for all our visitors, ensuring the wellbeing of all is paramount. We support a number of national campaigns all year including Time To Talk, Suicide Prevention and World Mental Health day. In addition to having a number of mental health first aiders, and initiatives with our retailers, we work with a number of community partners including Greater Manchester Suicide Prevention and Bereavement who throughout May, hosted a grief exhibition showcasing a range of photographs dedicated to those who have experienced loss and grief.

CONTACT US

We are always looking to support local causes through fundraising opportunities, volunteering, and community partnerships.

Please contact Richa Patel, Community Development Manager on: