The Trafford Centre will turn the old Pesto site into a food hall for Manchester independents

The Trafford Centre has confirmed what's next for the large former Pesto unit at The Orient, the Manchester Evening News reports. The site is being stripped back to its original shell and will become a food hall for up to five street food traders.

The details - The centre says the space will celebrate "Manchester's independent food scene" - The units are understood to be out to tender already - The works are big enough that opening is unlikely before the new year - The space keeps its balconies over the Great Hall

Why the centre wants it Management says shoppers want food that's quick to order between shops, and the format lets more local operators in. The centre says it is now 100% let, with every unit open or under a lease agreed, and that August was a record month, with 34,000 more visitors than December 2025, previously its busiest month.

What it means for your site: a fully let centre with record footfall is opening its doors to independents. If you run a street food concept in Greater Manchester, this is a pitch worth making, and a sign that landlords are now competing for strong local brands, not just national chains.