The Changing Face of Trafford: Stretford & Urmston

Stretford

In 1974, the administrative centre of Trafford became Stretford Town Hall, though, as it was not situated within the centre, it did not have an immediate impact on the town.

Independent Shops in King Street Stretford, between Bennett Street and Pinnington Lane, 1969, Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TP/1393.

King Street, lined with independent shops, had been the main shopping centre in Stretford before the development of the Arndale Centre, the first phase of which was agreed in April 1969 and the Chester Road frontage completed in 1972.[i] It was one of the first such covered precinct in the country and, at the time the sixth largest.[ii] The Chief Planning Officer in a briefing paper for the planning Committee in 1986, reported that the new centre had been regarded as an excellent replacement for the old and congested Stretford Town Centre.[iii] In 1974, an article in the Altrincham Guardian entitled, ‘Gigantic Boost for Arndale’ proudly boasted that the next phase of development would include a multi-story car park.[iv] However, by the time Trafford was created, concern was growing in the community about the impact the centre was having on the adjacent residential area, particularly in parking and traffic flows, though proposals were made to expand the floor space.

Map of site of Stretford Arndale, undated, probably 1960s, Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. PLA/1/803

Last Look at King Street before the Arndale is constructed. Post office is in the foreground on Right, Steelwork for Arndale is on Left. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TP/11347

Stretford Arndale Plan 1974, Stretford and Sale Guardian, 27 June 1974, p.9.

5. Stretford Arndale Plan of Lower Mall, 1980.jpg

Stretford Arndale Plan of Lower Mall, 1980, Arndale Shopping Precinct, Stretford, Planning Brief, 1986, Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. 96269251.

6. Stretford Arndale, Plan of Upper Mall, 1980,.jpg

Stretford Arndale, Plan of Upper Mall, 1980, Arndale Shopping Precinct, Stretford, Planning Brief, 1986, Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. 96269251.

The ‘Trafford Shopping Study Main Report, September 1986’ [v] appraised the current state of the Arndale which, at the time consisted of 285,130 square feet. Boots, Mothercare, a refurbished Woolworth’s, the Co-op were the major multiple stores, with Tesco, Gateway and Kwik Save supermarkets. It was considered not large enough to draw in the major fashion shops such as Marks and Spencer. Its car parking was considered unattractive and poorly lit.

In 2024, Stretford is the smallest of the main four shopping centres in Trafford. In recent years the Stretford Mall has suffered from strong competition from other town centres and the nearby Trafford Centre. Prior to the redevelopment noted below, it has had a high number of empty units, and the former market has been removed.

In March 2024, the Arndale, now better known as Stretford Mall, is under redevelopment, with improvements to the car parking and the public realm in the area surrounding it, as well as to the centre itself.

Stretford Mall, 2024.

Improvements to the Public Realm, Kingsway, Stretford, view from outside Stretford Library, March 2024. (Richard Nelson, 2024)

Refurbishment of King Street in progress, Stretford Mall, March 2024. (Richard Nelson, 2024)

Urmston

In 1986 Urmston’s shopping facilities were described as an uncovered precinct, constructed in the 1960s, adjacent to a traditional linear shopping centre. It had three supermarkets, the Co-op, Gateway and Big Dee, plus a Cordon Bleu Freezer Centre. The town centre was considered to be limited and not an attractive shopping environment.[vi]

Council Offices, Urmston Pedestrian Plaza, Trafford Official Guide and Industrial Handbook, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, 1975.

In 1973, Urmston still had a market, though it was privately owned.

Urmston Market, Railway Road, 1977. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TL/2704.

At the time of writing retail in Urmston is centred around Eden Square which replaced the dated Urmston Precinct that had been demolished in 2007.[vii] It now mainly consists of independent retailers who serve the surrounding communities of Flixton and Davyhulme, rather than attempt to host multiple stores that are well catered for in the nearby Trafford Centre. It has a Sainsbury’s, ALDI and Iceland stores for food shopping.

Eden Square, Urmston Precinct, April 2024. (Pauline Jones, 2024)

In 2024, a new plan for Urmston Town Centre is being prepared to improve the viability and sustainability of the town centre. ‘The plan will set a framework for Urmston town centre to meet the needs of residents and businesses now and in the future and will form the basis to be able to apply for funding when it becomes available.’[viii]

Urmston Library 1976, Trafford Official Guide and Industrial Handbook, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, 1975.

Urmston Library, Crofts Bank Road, April 2024. (Pauline Jones, 2024)

Article researched and written by Trafford Local Studies volunteer Richard Nelson.

Sources

[i] Trafford MBC, Metropolitan Borough of Trafford Official Guide and Industrial Handbook First Edition 1975, Trafford Local Studies, 526432.

[ii] https://stretfordtowncentre.co.uk/about-us/ [Accessed 9 Apr 2024].

[iii] Arndale Shopping Precinct, Stretford, Planning Brief, 1986, Trafford Local Studies, Ref. 96269251.

[iv] Altrincham Guardian, 27 Jun 1974, p.19.

[v] Bernard Thorpe & Partners for Trafford M.B.C., Trafford Shopping Study Main Report, September 1986, Sep 1986, Trafford Local Studies, TRA/4/3/2/2.

[vi] Bernard Thorpe & Partners for Trafford M.B.C., Trafford Shopping Study Main Report, September 1986, Sep 1986, Trafford Local Studies, TRA/4/3/2/2.

[vii] https://www.trafford.gov.uk/planning/strategic-planning/docs/Draft-Local-Plan-Jan-2021.pdf [Accessed 10 Apr 2024].

[viii] https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/news/articles/2024/20240314-Plan-to-future-proof-town-as-successful-sustainable-and-dynamic-%27place%27.aspx [Accessed 10 Apr 2024].