Trafford Palazzo, a pioneering experience center in the UK, recently announced the official opening of NERF AX, a distinctive family leisure concept. This launch marks a significant addition to Trafford Palazzo’s diverse leisure and retail offerings.
The NERF AX experience, spanning 35,000 square feet, is the result of a collaboration between Hasbro, a renowned toy and game company, and Rocafella Leisure Group, a Manchester-based leisure operator and consultancy. Following a promising soft launch period, NERF AX has commenced full operations, open seven days a week.
This innovative space is divided into four unique zones, each designed with a distinct aesthetic and gameplay. These areas are tailored to appeal to both children and adults, ensuring a varied and immersive experience for every visitor. NERF AX not only offers themed leisure activities but also includes an official NERF store. This store features a range of merchandise including apparel, sports equipment, and toys.
Complementing the leisure experience, Trafford Palazzo features a food and beverage offer from Archie’s, a Manchester-origin brand known for its handmade smashed burgers, waffles, and milkshakes.
Chris Hayes, Rocafella Leisure’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The UK hasn’t seen anything like this before, and Trafford Palazzo demonstrated a likened approach to launching debut leisure concepts, so we are delighted to be introducing the first-ever NERF AX here. We have worked exhaustively with our partners Hasbro to curate a first-class venue, one that will provide amazing experiences and memories for every guest.”
Mark Whittaker, Executive Director – Property Investment & Management at Peel, said: “Trafford Palazzo is the UK’s first next generation experience centre, with a tenant line-up that combines leisure and retail in a way that cannot be found anywhere else in the country. We are attracting debut concepts like NERF AX because they perfectly fit the Trafford Palazzo profile, which is about blending unique experience with both essential and spur-of-the-moment shopping. NERF AX is providing yet another reason to visit and enjoy all the destination has to offer, and we are in discussions with other retail and leisure concepts to broaden Trafford Palazzo’s offer further still.”
Trafford Palazzo’s reputation as a leading destination in the UK is further bolstered by the addition of King Pins, a state-of-the-art bowling venture. Since its opening in the summer, King Pins has attracted over 100,000 customers, according to James Travis, Brand Manager at King Pins. He praised the Trafford Palazzo team for identifying the suitability of their concept for the centre’s diverse audience.
NERF AX joins an impressive lineup at Trafford Palazzo, which includes Sea Life, one of two Legoland Discovery Centres in the country, an EL&N café, a large Primark store, and the only Natuzzi furniture store in the northwest. These attractions underscore Trafford Palazzo’s position as one of the UK’s most comprehensive and exciting destinations, aptly located within TraffordCity.
HH Retail and Creative Leisure are acting as representatives for Peel in this venture.
