There are major changes to free parking coming to the Trafford Centre
06:48, 28 Aug 2025Updated 07:19, 28 Aug 2025
Car parks at the Trafford Centre (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Any story on the Trafford Centre was always going to divide opinion – but the news that the shopping hub is to end its unlimited free parking on September 1 has provoked a tidal wave of opinion
The M.E.N. reported this week that parking at the centre, formerly free and unlimited, will be restricted to a maximum 12 hour stay from September 1.
Parking overnight (between midnight and 6am) will also be banned under the new rules.
In addition, at the Regent Crescent multi-storey, closest to Selfridges and the tram stop, free parking will be limited to five hours – although this can be extended by visiting the Guest Services department inside the mall and showing proof of purchase from a store.
The news of the rules, to be enforced by a £50 fine, comes as the shopping centre has also announced it is slashing the price of its ‘premium parking’ to a £7.50 flat fee for the day.
The M.E.N. understands there are concerns people are treating the centre like a park-and-ride: leaving their car there all day and taking the tram to head to work or head into the city centre without having to pay through the nose for city centre parking.
The piece, published on Tuesday (August 26), has generated hundreds of comments of lively discussion across our site and Facebook page on the centre, the future of our shopping habits, and the ever-continuing debate about car use vs public transport.
‘It’s not unreasonable’
There were those who thought the changes were reasonable.
“I know people like to slate the owners but this seems fair,” wrote Lee John on Facebook.
“Blame the people parking there for free and getting the tram into Manchester City centre.”
“All good changes,” wrote Oliver Drake. “Perhaps not covering the car parks with a ‘dinosaur experience’ and fairground during the time of year with the highest demand for parking, would also be a good idea?!”
“The only people it is stopping are people who probably park up and head into town and grab their car the next day,” agreed commenter tt84. “To be fair, its not unreasonable.
“I don’t go there much now, but if you go in the run up to Christmas, every spot counts.”
“4 hours to find a space and 8 hours to get out,” joked Vindablu. “Fines a plenty at Christmas.”
“Can’t argue with 5 hours or 12 hours free parking!” wrote Marilyn Parker.
Some commenters said that the free overnight parking had been useful to those who come to the centre to enjoy its nightlife offering. The Trafford Centre is home to a cornucopia of bars and restaurants, as well as its Odeon cinema which does late-night showings.
“A huge number of the vehicles left overnight are people that have gone and had alcohol,” wrote Salered.
“Many will have planned to leave their vehicle overnight. They should allow overnight parking for anyone that purchases alcohol.”
“Next you’ll be want the valet parking attendants to chauffeur them home in their cars and get taxi it back,” replied Tyrion.
There were those who thought the move would hinder the centre rather than help it. “Just a bit more of a way to kill the TC, bit by bit!” wrote Benny Parker.
“People are mental still shopping there,” wrote BigManc1. “Easy online, cheaper and stress free.”
Kevin Reynolds also thought the move would push more people to shop online. “Well Trafford Centre, start hammering your coffin lid – Sheffield isn’t that far away,” he wrote, presumably referring to Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre.
Paul Moore thought the move would stop people going who ‘usually spend the day there’. “Good,” wrote Munir Ahmed. “Let’s get town centres more active.”
“They are allowing parking for more than you should ever need…so I don’t see the problem,” wrote Karen Humphries. “Should not affect any shopper.”
“If people actually need twelve hours at the Trafford Centre, then they need help,” wrote Damian.
“Who wants to stay in that pit for 12 hours,” agreed DavebH.
Others still thought the move was unfair to those who leave their cars at the mall in order to avoid driving into the centre of Manchester.
“So the “problem” is people parking at TC, and catching a tram to the city centre. Isn’t that what you want people to do?” wrote Mike Elliot.
“There’s been a 20 year efforts to reduce cars in the city centre?!”
“If they start charging, may as well go to city centre. After all that was the reason for not going to the city,” wrote David Bailey.
“Somehow, I always expected that the TC getting a tram stop built just for it and the thousands of extra shoppers it brought, use of their car park was their contribution to the cost,” added user Somesense.
What the Trafford Centre say
A Trafford Centre spokesperson said: “It’s important that our 10,000+ free car park spaces are available for our customers when they need them.
“These changes will improve traffic flow and ensure spaces are available for our guests.
“For those travelling into Manchester or to events, TfGM’s Parkway Park & Ride is just two tram stops away and is a great alternative.
“We’ve also worked closely with our retailers on clear staff parking arrangements, and with exciting new store openings and the busy festive season ahead, we’re especially keen to keep Regent Crescent accessible.”
“We have no plans to introduce parking charges beyond optional Premium Parking.”