Key Points
- Lola’s, a cult London bakery brand launched in 2006 by Victoria Jossel Nurtman and Romy Lewis, is opening its first Greater Manchester store at the Trafford Centre on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
- The brand, named from the acronym “Ladies Of Leisure Always,” specialises in handcrafted, freshly-made celebration cakes, cupcakes, and brownies.
- Lola’s began in Primrose Hill, selling at Selfridges and Topshop, before opening a flagship in Mayfair; it now has over 25 stores in London and one in Birmingham’s Bullring Selfridges.
- Last week, Lola teased the opening on social media, sparking excitement from fans, including comments like “Finally coming to Manchester!” and “I have been begging for years.”
- The launch event from 11am to 4pm will feature 500 free cupcakes and brownies, live entertainment, DJs, giveaways, a flower wall, merchandise, and a new Manchester-inspired cupcake flavour.
- Asher Budwig, Lola’s Managing Director, emphasised fresh baking with top ingredients, convenience for last-minute orders, and popular items like Chocolate Heaven cupcake.
- Daily fresh deliveries from London ensure quality; the menu includes Cinnamon Bun, Red Velvet, Unicorn Chocolate, gluten-free Carrot Cake, and Disney partnerships.
- Trafford Centre chosen due to a past pop-up 10 years ago and its “Disneyland-like” appeal; follows Birmingham expansion in 2017.
- This Northern debut is Lola’s biggest launch ever, with high expectations for Greater Manchester customers.
Trafford (Manchester Mirror) February 06, 2026 – The Trafford Centre is set to welcome Lola’s, a beloved London bakery brand, marking its first store in Greater Manchester on February 28. This expansion brings handcrafted cupcakes, celebration cakes, and brownies to the region, exciting locals who have long awaited the cult favourite from the capital.
What Is Lola’s Cupcakes and How Did It Start?
Lola’s Cupcakes traces its roots to 2006 when friends Victoria Jossel Nurtman and Romy Lewis launched the brand in London’s Primrose Hill. As detailed in the Manchester Evening News coverage by an unnamed reporter, the duo began by selling their creations at high-end spots like Selfridges and Topshop before establishing a flagship store in Mayfair.
The name derives from “Ladies Of Leisure Always,” reflecting its glamorous origins. Today, Lola’s boasts more than 25 stores across London and a presence in Birmingham’s Bullring Shopping Centre within Selfridges, as reported in the same Manchester Evening News article.
Why Is the Trafford Centre Opening Generating Buzz?
Fans have eagerly anticipated this move North. Last week, Lola’s teased the Greater Manchester arrival via social media clues, prompting enthusiastic responses. One Instagram user commented: “Finally coming to Manchester! Lived on these when I was in London. Thank you.” Another exclaimed: “Finaaaaaaaaalllllllllyy! I have been begging for years for you guys to come this far up North, my loyalty points are going to skyrocket! This is so, so exciting,” according to Manchester Evening News.
The store opens in the Trafford Centre’s Main Dome, positioning it as a prime spot in one of the UK’s most vibrant shopping destinations.
When Does Lola’s Open at Trafford Centre and What Happens at the Launch?
The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026, with the main event running from 11am to 4pm. Asher Budwig, Managing Director for Lola’s, told the Manchester Evening News: “We’ve gone all out. It’s the most we’ve ever done for a launch, and that’s because we’re just so excited to open here. The team have really twisted my arm on what they’re doing.”
Highlights include 500 free cupcakes and brownies, live entertainment, DJs, giveaways, a flower wall, merchandise, and a debut tasting of a Manchester-inspired flavoured cupcake. Budwig added: “There’s going to be a flower wall, DJs, loads of merch to give away, and we’ve got some really creative Manchester boxes to show off our special Manchester-specific cupcake. We’re just so excited to open here.”
What Makes Lola’s Cupcakes Stand Out in Quality and Menu?
Lola’s prides itself on freshly baked treats using premium ingredients. Asher Budwig explained to Manchester Evening News: “The concept behind what we do has always been about delicious cupcakes, which are freshly-baked using the best ingredients. There has always been this dedication towards making a fantastic cake. We aim to make something that not only looks amazing, but tastes amazing.”
Convenience is key: “It’s also about convenience for our customers. People have a birthday or event tomorrow and they haven’t sorted out a cake, they can go and order their cake with us and it’ll be with them tomorrow. I think that’s why we win – people come to us because they get something that’s great, reliable, consistent and comes with a smile.”
Standout menu items include the Chocolate Heaven cupcake – a double chocolate sponge with white chocolate ganache icing, chocolate shavings, and a truffle. Other options are Cinnamon Bun, Red Velvet, Unicorn Chocolate, and gluten-free Carrot Cake. Official Disney partnerships feature on cupcakes and celebration cakes. Customers can customise cupcake boxes or buy favourites individually.
Freshness is ensured by daily deliveries from the London bakery: “It’s all about everything being fresh. We had to make sure we could get fresh cakes to the shop every day and by doing it in a way that keeps things perfect,” Budwig stated.
How Does Lola’s Ensure Daily Freshness at Trafford?
Each morning, cakes and treats travel from London to arrive in time for opening, maintaining peak quality as per Budwig’s comments to Manchester Evening News.
Why Did Lola’s Choose Trafford Centre for Greater Manchester Debut?
The Trafford Centre has long been on Lola’s radar. Asher Budwig revealed to Manchester Evening News that the brand held a pop-up there ten years ago and has worked diligently behind the scenes since. Following the 2017 Birmingham opening, Manchester was next: “We went up to Birmingham back in 2017 and we’ve always wanted to do Manchester as well, but there’s just always been sorting that’s got in the way. But now, it feels like the right step for us at the right time.”
Budwig praised the venue: “The Trafford Centre is one of the most exciting shopping centres in the country – you go in and it’s almost like Disneyland in some respects. We feel that Manchester is a really important city. It’s something we’ve always wanted to do. We’ve got big plans to grow and we thought that Manchester would be the first and best way for us to mark that.”
He anticipates strong local support: “We’ve had a lot of people place orders online from all over the country, so we’re hoping that for people in Greater Manchester, it’s an opportunity to pop in store and see more of what we do. We think it’s going to go down really well.”
What Is the History of Lola’s Expansion Beyond London?
From humble Primrose Hill beginnings in 2006, Lola’s grew to Mayfair flagship status and now spans over 25 London stores. The Birmingham Bullring Selfridges outlet in 2017 marked its first major step outside the capital. Trafford represents the Northern expansion, as corroborated across Manchester Evening News reports.
This move aligns with Lola’s growth ambitions, positioning it for further UK presence.
How Can Shoppers Prepare for Lola’s Trafford Centre Arrival?
Pre-orders are already popular nationwide. On launch day, visitors can sample exclusives and enjoy festivities. The store’s location in the Main Dome ensures easy access amid Trafford’s bustling environment.
As Greater Manchester’s sweet tooth anticipates this cult brand’s arrival, Lola’s promises to blend London flair with local excitement, potentially redefining bakery options in the region.
