Rollerskating concept to debut at Trafford Palazzo

American-inspired restaurant chain Archie’s is set to debut a new rollerskating concept at Manchester’s Trafford Palazzo.

Opening in the summer, the 24,273 sq ft Archie’s Atomic concept will be centred around a 5,380 sq ft roller rink.

The concept will be based on Trafford Palazzo’s ground floor, adjacent to NERF Action Xperience and opposite the SEA LIFE Manchester Aquarium. Alongside the roller rink, Archie’s Atomic will feature a family arcade area and an Archie’s shake bar.

Space will also be available for brand activations, local graffiti artist takeovers, and private bookings.

Archie’s opened its first restaurant on Manchester’s Oxford Road in 2010 and has since expanded to operate further sites in Manchester, as well as Birmingham and Liverpool. The brand also recently opened within Trafford Palazzo’s NERF Action Xperience site.

Mark Whittaker, executive director of retail and leisure at scheme owner 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, added: “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, which welcomed nearly 60,000 sq ft of new lettings and record footfall. Across the calendar year, the scheme welcomed bowling and gaming operator King Pins and a Northern debut for café concept EL&N, as well as NERF Action Xperience.

HHRetail and Creative Leisure act for Trafford Palazzo.