Stretford celebrates the opening of its brand-new high street

Stretford is celebrating the opening of its brand-new high street, marking a significant milestone in its town centre regeneration plans.

Delivered through a long-term joint venture between Bruntwood and Trafford Council, the historic King Street and Pinnington Lane have been restored, and a brand new public square has been created.

The new high street is open to the public from Sat 23 Aug, with the first wave of retailers set to move into the units over the coming weeks. The new high street will be home to a mix of local, and independent businesses, shops, services, national brands and hospitality venues.

Loungers is the first national hospitality brand to be announced as joining the new high street and will offer all-day dining in a ‘home away from home’. Like all Loungers, the Stretford site on King Street will have its own individual identity and be called “Fosforo Lounge”.

Local businesses to join the high street include Stretford stalwarts and vinyl specialists, Reel Around The Fountain, who are relocating to King Street. Owner Nigel Young has been operating in the Mall in Stretford for over 11 years, and his new store will allow him to bring his collection of rare finds and vinyl treasures to the high street.

Other businesses making the move from Stretford Mall to King Street include Gola Gifts, Hollywood Nails, Card Factory, Eboni’s Hair and Beauty, Costa Coffee, Max Spielman, EE, Greggs and Home Bargains.

The ground floor retail units on King Street have been designed for a mix of retail and hospitality businesses, whilst The Mezz, a specially built first-floor arcade, has been created for service-led retailers including hair and beauty specialists.

King Street opens out into Sir Tony Lloyd Square, named by the community in honour of the late local MP. This is a brand new public space designed by and for the residents of Stretford, and will be a focal point for community life, and a meeting place and a venue for events and activities.

The restoration of Pinnington Lane will improve connectivity, allowing the community to walk from King Street straight through to Victoria Park. The multi-storey car park has also been improved to enhance visitor experience and create a safer environment for everyone – the refurbished carpark will be completed later in the year.

The completion of King Street follows the complete refurbishment of all existing retail units and shop fronts in the town centre. This includes shop front replacements and refurbishment of Chester Road and the installation of the Stretford mural.

When the new high street opens to the public, it will be the first time that residents have been able to walk down King Street in over 60 years, the occasion is being marked
with a number of events, including a huge street warming party, for which you can book free tickets here.

The street is also set to host A Block Party on Sat 30 Aug, an all-day dance party from local DJ collective Rainy Hart and Elody, with more events and activities to be revealed in the coming weeks.

During this period of transition, the Mall will remain open until all of the retailers have completed the fit-outs within their new premises on the high street.

Featured image credit: Jon Parker Lee