It’s come into force todayOne of the new trams branded up to mark the move(Image: Peel Retail and Leisure)

A major change has been announced for Trafford Centre and Palazzo shoppers using Metrolink trams, taking effect today (October 28).

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) chiefs have announced one of the stations serving the shopping and leisure complex has changed its name, taking immediate effect.

Barton Dock Road has been renamed ‘Trafford Palazzo’ by TfGM to make it easier to identify.

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“Look out for the new name on signs, maps, and the Bee Network app. Don’t worry, your journey and tickets will not be affected. It’s the same stop, with a shiny new name!”

TfGM said the decision was made after agreeing a ‘partnership’ with the Palazzo complex’s owners, Peel.

Fran Wilkinson, director of customer and growth, said: “The renaming of the tram stop reflects its location next to Trafford Palazzo, making it clearer for those travelling to this popular destination for shopping, family days out or visiting top attractions like SeaLife.”

Bosses at Trafford Palazzo owners, Peel, confirmed they have ‘partnered’ with TfGM to rename the station, adding it has secured two Trafford Palazzo-branded tram vehicles to mark the new name.

“The partnership is focussed on placemaking and renaming the Metrolink stop to Trafford Palazzo strengthens our identity as a gateway destination within TraffordCity, whilst also reinforcing our commitment to creating a connected, accessible and memorable place for all who visit or work here,” added Peel Retail and Leaisure managing director, Mark Whittaker.

The new signage at Trafford Palazzo Metrolink stop, called Barton Dock Road until October 28, 2025(Image: Bee Network/X)

More celebrations are planned for Saturday, November 8, when ‘roaming modern living statues’ will board trams ‘from the new Trafford Palazzo Metrolink stop to Deansgate and back’, a DJ will perform in the centre, as well as ‘a pink tribute act’.

The Trafford Palazzo complex sits on the opposite side of Barton Dock Road, and is home to major names like Primark, the Sealife Centre, and Legoland Discovery Centre.

TfGM, which controls Metrolink and the Bee Network, says it has already updated signage and maps so people can get around more easily.

Currently, trams serving the station run every 12 minutes from Deansgate-Castlefield to The Trafford Centre and vice-versa.

The stop is one of the newest on the network as it opened in March 2020 as part of the Trafford Park Metrolink extension.

However, it’s not the first stop on the Trafford Park line, illustrated in red on Metrolink maps, to undergo a name change.

The route’s terminus station, The Trafford Centre, was originally called ‘intu Trafford Centre’ when it opened, but was rebranded when the shopping mall dropped ‘intu’ from its title.

Around 220,000 people used the station in 2021/22 according to TfGM data, making it the 60th most-used stop of Greater Manchester’s 99 halts.

TfGM has been contacted for further comment.