The recognisable ‘redcoats’ have been replaced by a black suit and orange tie outfit after 15 years.
Staff at the Trafford Centre are having a makeover as part of a bid to help shoppers ‘feel better about life’.
Workers will hang up the ‘redcoat’ uniforms they have worn for the last 15 years and swap them for black suits with white shirts and orange neck ties.
The centre will also have a new logo in the form of a little bird in the same colours. It is all part of a rebranding since the sprawling precinct was renamed the Intu Trafford Centre, along with other centres owned by parent group Capital Shopping Centres (CSC).
The Trafford Centre’s official logo will now become a small blue and orange bird, which is said to represent a ‘symbol of joy’. CSC chief executive David Fischel said: “This is deeper than just window dressing. It’s a deeper, more revolutionary change for our centres.”
The new look provoked a mixed response from shoppers on the Trafford Centre’s Facebook page. Anmol Sarmad said: “Miss the old look…hope the new look doesn’t change the vibe of the old Trafford Centre for me.”
Lucy Norris said: “But the Trafford Centre is red! It’s a nice uniform, but definitely more recognisable in red. Now they look like travel agents!”
Gordon McKinnon, director of the Trafford Centre, said: “There has been much excitement in the centre as staff have been wearing their new uniforms for the first time, and they are all really pleased with the new look.
“Of course, there was a lot of fondness for the iconic red jackets, but after 15 years our staff were ready for a change – and how they feel about what they are wearing is really important to us.”
He added: “The response from shoppers on the malls has been extremely positive, and it’s very gratifying to see how the vast majority of our Facebook respondents also ‘like’ our new look