New Cinema Seats and Escalators Arrive at Trafford Centre 2026

Key Points

• Upgrades of the Trafford Centre at the main dome are complete, with the central escalators now operating again.
• The older escalators were decommissioned in June during the larger upgrade project.
• The new escalators feature energy-efficient mechanisms that can save as much as 40% energy in comparison.
• LED lighting on steps and skirtings will be about 80% more energy efficient than traditional fluorescent light bulbs.
• The overall project includes plans to update or replace nine escalators and 13 elevators in the shopping center.
• ODEON Trafford Centre has put in place 677 new armchair seats, including glider seats that can tilt back slightly.
• Cinema renovations include 12 screens, even though the newly fitted seats cannot be used in screens 1 to 6.
• Other retailers such as Uniqlo, Lids, Gymshark, Garage and The Entertainer are also set to open soon at the center.

Trafford (Manchester Mirror) August 19, 2026 — the newly installed escalators are now available for shoppers and visitors following the removal of the previous units in June. The work forms part of a larger refurbishment programme intended to modernise the centre’s vertical transport systems and reduce energy consumption.

uk/local/trafford/">Trafford Centre upgrades have been completed at the shopping complex’s iconic main dome, restoring access to the central escalators after a period of construction and temporary disruption for visitors.

The main dome is one of Trafford Centre’s most recognisable areas. It is known for its Graeco-Roman-inspired interior and is among the most photographed parts of the complex. During the construction period, visitors were directed towards nearby lifts while the central escalators were unavailable.

The completion of the work means shoppers can once again use the escalators positioned at the centre of the dome. The reopening is also taking place alongside improvements at the ODEON cinema located within the same part of the complex.

Why were the Trafford Centre escalators replaced?

The escalator work was announced by Trafford Centre management in June as part of a broader programme covering escalators and lifts throughout the shopping centre.

According to the Manchester Evening News report, the centre’s management said the main dome was receiving a complete set of new escalators after six escalators had been installed in The Orient earlier in the year. Management also said the wider project involved replacing and refurbishing nine escalators and 13 lifts during 2026.

The programme is intended to improve the reliability and efficiency of equipment used by large numbers of visitors each day. It also forms part of the centre’s stated effort to cut carbon emissions and reduce energy consumption across the site.

The exact quotation published by the Manchester Evening News described the new equipment as part of a wider effort to improve the complex’s infrastructure. The report also attributed the energy-saving claims to Trafford Centre management.

How much energy can the new escalators save?

The new escalators have been fitted with several systems intended to reduce energy use when passenger demand is low.

They include smart inverters, regenerative drives and standby-speed operation. The escalators can automatically slow down or stop when no passengers are using them, rather than continuing to operate at full speed throughout the day.

Trafford Centre management said the systems could reduce energy usage by up to 40% compared with escalators operating continuously. The reduction depends on factors such as passenger numbers, operating schedules and how frequently the standby function is activated.

The escalators also use LED lighting on the steps and skirting. The Manchester Evening News reported that this lighting is expected to be up to 80% more efficient than standard fluorescent lighting.

These measures are part of the centre’s wider environmental objectives. They do not remove the need for electricity to operate the escalators, but they are designed to limit energy consumption during quieter periods and improve the efficiency of lighting systems.

Management previously thanked visitors for their patience during the works and said the completed installation would justify the temporary inconvenience caused by the closure of the central escalators.

What improvements have been made at ODEON Trafford Centre?

Alongside the main dome works, ODEON Trafford Centre has completed an overhaul of its cinema seating.

The cinema now offers 677 new armchair seats, including glider seats that partially recline. Other seats have been reupholstered as part of the refurbishment, with the aim of providing a more comfortable experience for filmgoers.

The changes apply across 12 screens at the cinema, which is positioned opposite The Orient within the Trafford Centre. Customers can choose between two new premium seating options when booking tickets, depending on the screening and screen layout.

However, the new seating is not available in screens 1 to 6. Visitors who specifically want to use a glider seat have therefore been advised to check the seating options for their chosen screening before completing a booking.

The cinema’s updated seating is being introduced during the summer film season. ODEON Trafford Centre manager Moore said the current film programme offered a range of choices and that the new chairs and gliders would give customers greater comfort and variety during their visits.

The statement, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, referred to films ranging from adventures to major blockbusters. It presented the new seating as an additional choice for customers rather than a replacement for every seat in the cinema.

What did the refurbishment mean for visitors?

The central escalators’ closure required visitors to use nearby lifts while work was being carried out. That arrangement affected people moving between levels in one of the busiest parts of the centre, particularly during periods of high footfall.

The reopening removes that specific restriction and restores the usual route through the main dome. Visitors can now use the central escalators again, although the wider refurbishment programme means that other lifts or escalators elsewhere in the complex may still be subject to work during the year.

The completed works also bring together two separate visitor-facing improvements in the same area: upgraded access through the dome and more comfortable seating at the cinema.

For cinema customers, seat availability remains an important practical detail. Not all screens offer the new premium seating, and screens 1 to 6 are excluded from the new arrangement. Customers should therefore review the seating map and booking information before travelling if the glider seats are a priority.

Which new Trafford Centre shops are expected?

The main dome improvements are being announced as the Trafford Centre prepares for further retail openings later in 2026.

The Manchester Evening News reported that new arrivals expected before the end of the year include a large Uniqlo store, Lids, Gymshark, Garage and The Entertainer.

The businesses represent several retail categories, including fashion, sportswear, fitness, accessories and toys. Their planned openings are separate from the escalator and cinema works, but they form part of a broader programme of changes at the shopping centre.

The report did not provide opening dates for each retailer. As a result, visitors should check announcements from the Trafford Centre or the individual brands for confirmed launch dates and store locations.

What does the development mean for Trafford Centre visitors?

The completed main dome works should make movement through the centre more straightforward by restoring the central escalators. The energy-saving features may also reduce the electricity required to operate the equipment, although the effect will depend on visitor usage and operating conditions.

The ODEON refurbishment gives cinema customers more seating options, but the benefits are not uniform across all screenings. Customers booking screens 1 to 6 will not have access to the newly introduced glider seats, while availability in the other screens may depend on the specific film and booking arrangement.

The planned shop openings could provide additional reasons for visitors to return to the centre later in the year. However, the available information confirms expected arrivals rather than completed openings, so the timetable may vary.

Background: How did the Trafford Centre upgrade begin?

The main dome refurbishment is part of a larger 2026 programme covering nine escalators and 13 lifts across Trafford Centre. Six escalators had already been installed in The Orient earlier in the year, before the central escalators in the main dome were removed in June.

The work took place in a highly visible part of the complex, whose interior is recognised for its Graeco-Roman design. Temporary access arrangements directed visitors towards nearby lifts while the escalators were being replaced.

The project’s stated objectives include improving the centre’s infrastructure, reducing energy use and supporting efforts to lower carbon emissions. The newly installed escalators use standby and automatic slowdown functions, regenerative technology and LED lighting.

The ODEON seating refurbishment was completed in parallel at the cinema within the main dome. It introduced 677 new armchair seats, including partially reclining gliders, while extending the cinema’s premium seating options across selected screens.

Prediction: How could the changes affect Trafford Centre shoppers?

The restored escalators are likely to improve convenience for shoppers, families and visitors who regularly move between floors in the main dome. The upgrade may be particularly noticeable during busy periods, when access to both escalators and lifts can affect how quickly people move through the centre.

Cinema customers are likely to see the most direct benefit from the ODEON changes. Those booking eligible screens will have access to more comfortable armchair and glider options, while customers using screens 1 to 6 will continue to have the existing seating arrangements.

The new escalators could also support Trafford Centre’s environmental targets by reducing energy use during quiet periods. The reported savings are management estimates rather than a confirmed annual reduction, so the long-term impact will depend on passenger numbers and how the equipment operates.

The expected arrival of Uniqlo, Lids, Gymshark, Garage and The Entertainer may increase the range of shopping choices available to visitors later in 2026. Until opening dates are confirmed, shoppers should treat those stores as planned developments rather than facilities already operating.