The Trafford Centre in Manchester is one of the largest shopping centres in the country. But soon a bit of retail therapy will not be on the only thing that people will be visiting for.
Instead of shopping in the retail commercial property, people will be able to escape the hustle and bustle of shoppers and experience a 36,000 sq. ft. aquarium.
Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council has approved plans for a SEA LIFE centre, which will be the 14th aquarium to be built. The aquarium will be built at Barton Square, which is currently used as existing floor space.
Speaking of the addition to The Trafford Centre, Gordon McKinnon, Director of Operations at the shopping centre, said: “We are delighted that Merlin’s plans for the new SEA LIFE aquarium have been approved by Trafford Council planning committee, and we’re very excited to be moving on to the next stage in construction of what will be a major new family attraction in the Northwest.”
The aquarium is expected to be open in spring 2013 and will house over 5000 sea creatures, 30 displays and an underwater tunnel – to give visitors an all-round view of life in the sea. Upon opening it is expected that 40 jobs will be created to run the aquarium.
Russell Barnes, Divisional Director at Merlin Entertainments, owner of SEA LIFE, spoke of the development.
He said: “The Trafford Centre has proved a brilliant location for us so far, with the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre providing one of our most successful launches and we are confident that SEA LIFE will also thrive in this – one of the best shopping centres in the country.”
