NEWS: Sea Life coming to Trafford Centre, Manchester, UK

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/north-west/76951-/

 

A new Sea Life attraction is set to open at the Trafford Centre in spring 2013.

 

Owner Capital Shopping Centres has announced that Merlin Entertainments will open a 36,000 sq ft attraction in the Barton Square section of the Greater Manchester retail hub.

 

The news comes after Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council approved a resolution to grant planning permission for a change of use of the existing floorspace.

 

Merlin will also operate the £6.5m aquarium attraction, its 14th in the UK, next to its Legoland Discovery Centre which opened in 2009.

 

The new Sea Life centre will have tanks containing more than 5,000 creatures, 30 marine displays, an underwater ocean tunnel and some as yet unannounced features.

 

CSC asset management director Julian Wilkinson said: "The Trafford Centre is really excited to be embarking on plans to bring such a world-class tourist attraction to our 31 million annual shoppers.

 

"For CSC, providing innovation to our growing leisure offer is absolutely key; the shopping centre experience is about being more interactive.

 

"We believe the future of successful shopping centres is inextricably linked to providing a quality leisure experience, and we have seen what Sea Life has achieved at other locations."

Edited September 17, 2012 by jedimaster1227

[disneyfan1313]

^ It is interesting how many of these Sea Life experiences Merlin is building. Has anyone been to one before? Are they really that special?

[AstroDan]

Not massively. They're just aquariums, and usually quite small.

 

However, some of the theme elements within them can be exceptional. Sharkbait Reef Sea Life at Alton Towers is incredibly immersive, one of the most well themed attractions anywhere in the UK.

 

However, some of them are less high end.

[disneyfan1313]

^ Cool! Thank you. I would imagine they cater more to school groups and such than actual tourists?