Archie’s · Manchester · 2020

Trafford Centre

The brand’s first shopping-centre site — and its biggest yet.

Opening in December 2020, the Trafford Centre was the brand’s first venue inside a shopping centre and, with 250 covers, the largest unit in the centre at the time. Billed as Archie’s flagship, the brief was to make an impact: a fully immersive Archie’s experience that would mark the start of its bold, pink and playful era.

Our response worked with the volume of the unit rather than against it. Large-format textures and feature LED lighting give the space a playful, industrial edge, while the exposed services overhead are embraced rather than hidden. A variety of seating keeps the large floorplate engaging — from diner booths to a feature mezzanine level overlooking the room below — and a raised area sits beneath a cloud-light installation.

We delivered the project end to end: concept, visualisation, tender drawings, tender management and design management throughout construction.