Manchester Arndale underwent a new extension and refurbishment last year, but just across Exchange Square, Triangle shopping centre brings something unique to the city's retail mix.

The centre opened back in 1998, just after the Manchester bombing. In 1996 Frogmore Investment applied to change the use of the Grade II listed Corn Exchange to a shopping centre and permission was granted shortly after the building was badly damaged in the city's bombings.

In 2003 Frogmore sold the centre to Milligan and Blackstone who refurbished it again in 2005, adding the sky bar, currently occupied by Caffe Nero, moving the escalators, reconfiguring the floor plan of shop units to create bigger spaces and adding a new main entrance off Exchange Square.

"Exchange Square has changed massively," says centre manager Debra Stout. "It brings more people to this side of the city so footfall has increased."

Morley Trust took ownership shortly after the refurbishment and is currently seeking planning permission to carry out some external works on the building, including stonework enhancements on the main entrance, as well as the introduction of external lighting and banners to refresh the centre's image.

"Being a listed building it's hard to perceive from the outside what's on the inside because of the stone facade," says Stout. "On one side there's hardly any signage at all so we want to brand that area so people understand we're actually a shopping centre."

The centre has changed over the years to appeal to a varied demographic. For example, the refurbishment in 2005 turned it into an urban achiever, appealing to 18- to 35-year-olds. However, Stout points out that the centre has moved on again in this respect, and now aims to appeal to the 21 to 45 age range.

The likes of East appeal to older female shoppers, while outlets such as O'Neill and Roxy offer something for younger customers. Other retailers include Karen Millen, Jigsaw, Bravissimo, Up & Running, Joy, Lambretta and Adidas Originals' only store in the UK. The centre has also been increasing its food and drink offer, which currently includes Zinc Bar & Grill and Pizza Express.

"We've had several new signings recently," adds Stout. "We've signed Tampopo restaurant, which is due to open at the end of November, and Zizzi's, which is already fitting out and will open near the end of November."

In addition, two new retailers - independent fashion store Aspecto and Japanese fashion retailer Y-3 - have joined forces to launch a new concept store, which opened in September. Harpoon Louies, which also sells trendy brands, is another new addition to the 35-unit centre.

"We currently have two units under offer and two let on a temporary lease for Christmas, which leaves four vacant units; that's very good in the current climate," says Stout. "We have temporary lets, such as All Saints, which has taken a unit for its special sales store, and Flannels has come in as well.

"Our brands are mainly unique. Only two of our stores - Body Shop and Karen Millen - have shops elsewhere in Manchester. Therefore a shopper visiting the Arndale is also likely to shop at Triangle."

Shoppers drive up to 40 minutes to Manchester, which takes in towns such as Stockport, Bolton and Wigan as well as quite affluent areas in Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, where many footballers and business people live.

In addition to its own marketing campaigns, which include TV and radio advertising, as well as in-mall fashion shows held two or three times a year, Stout says Triangle works closely with the rest of the city.

"We're all linked quite closely and we all go to retailer group meetings held by CityCo, the city centre management company, plus we're all on Radio Net. We get involved with different types of advertising to get people into the city centre as a whole rather than just one particular shopping centre."

The Trafford Centre is the largest competition. "Different people shop in different places," says Stout, "and just because you shop at Trafford doesn't stop you from shopping in the city centre. There are a lot of brands in the city that you don't get anywhere else.

"However, we do involve the Trafford Centre in our meetings. We get on with them well. It's no good trying to compete against each other so we liaise with them and work together."

vital statistics

triangle shopping centre

Owner: Morley

Managing agent: King Sturge

Letting agents: King Sturge and Tushingham Moore

GLA: 100,000 sq ft approx retail

Additional office space: 50,000 sq ft

Footfall: 40,000 a week

Dwelltime: 20-30 minutes

Anchor stores: Aspecto/Y-3, Jigsaw and Adidas Originals

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