Trafford Palazzo to welcome debut rollerskating leisure concept, Archie’s Atomic

Peel has announced the signing of a first-of-its-kind leisure concept by American-style restaurant chain, Archie’s, at Trafford Palazzo, the UK’s first next-generation experience centre. The 24,273 sq ft concept will feature the Manchester-born brand’s iconic food and décor centred around a roller rink spanning over 5,380 sq ft.

Since opening the doors to its first restaurant on Manchester’s Oxford Road in 2010, Archie’s has become a much-loved brand in the North-West of England. The operator now has sites across Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool, including the recent opening as part of the UK’s first NERF Action Xperience site, also at Trafford Palazzo.

Archie’s Atomic is due to open in summer 2024 within TraffordCity’s Trafford Palazzo on the ground floor, adjacent to NERF Action Xperience and opposite the SEA LIFE Manchester Aquarium, consisting of a roller rink, a family arcade area, and an Archie’s shake bar. The concept will allow both beginner and experienced roller-skaters to enjoy the hobby in a vibrant indoor location, with the space also offering opportunities for brand activations, local graffiti artist takeovers, and private bookings for larger format corporate events.

The signing of Archie’s Atomic is a continuation of Peel’s commitment to creating a dynamic and unique retail and leisure experience at Trafford Palazzo, and represents yet another debut concept joining the destination, following recent additions in King Pins and NERF Action Xperience.

Mark Whittaker, Executive Director – Retail and Leisure at Peel, said: “We’re hugely excited to announce that Archie’s has selected Trafford Palazzo to be the first home of its Atomic leisure concept. The commitment of yet another debut concept is evidence of Trafford Palazzo’s appeal, catchment, and forward-thinking approach, and it’s great to play a part in the expansion of a local favourite. We’ve attracted a string of world and UK firsts over the past year, including NERF AX and King Pins, and Archie’s will be another great addition to the UK’s first next-generation experience centre.”

Mohammed Amer Rafiq, Managing Director at Archie’s, commented: “Introducing an Archie’s branded leisure concept has been in the works for a while now, and deciding on a location was a vital part of the process of bringing it to life. At Trafford Palazzo, we have a ready-made destination catered perfectly towards experience-led retail and leisure. The new concept will have all the excellent food, drinks, and décor you would expect from any of our Archie’s sites, but with exciting activities for all the family to explore. It’s a hugely exciting year for Archie’s, with the expansion into London and internationally in the Middle East – we can’t wait to open Archie’s Atomic, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Trafford Palazzo’s community through the doors.”

This news follows a landmark 2023 for Trafford Palazzo, with nearly 60,000 sq ft of new lettings and record footfall. Across the calendar year, Trafford Palazzo introduced a never-before-seen blend of retail and leisure, welcoming NERF Action Xperience, a one-of-its-kind family leisure concept, a flagship site for state-of-the-art bowling and gaming operator, King Pins, and the opening of a first site in the North for highly instagrammable café concept, EL&N.