Russell WBHO has completed an £8 million programme of thermal upgrades at Trafford Palazzo, improving energy efficiency and visitor comfort across the 330,000 sq ft retail and leisure destination.
Owned and operated by Peel Retail & Leisure, the upgrades were designed to reduce air leakage, improve thermal performance and mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures, supporting Trafford Palazzo’s continued evolution as a leading retail and leisure destination within TraffordCity.
The works included infill cladding to reduce heat loss, smoke extraction systems within the glass roof, curtain wall doors to the link bridge, heating systems to entrance lobbies and over-door heaters, alongside mechanical upgrades to the rooftop heating and ventilation system.
Gareth Russell, Managing Director of Russell WBHO, said: “Improving sustainability is a priority across all our projects, demanding a targeted approach that delivers measurable outcomes. At Trafford Palazzo, this significant thermal enhancement reinforced its position as a best-in-class retail and leisure destination, boosting efficiency, comfort and carbon performance.
“Through close collaboration with the Peel Retail & Leisure team, we overcame the challenges of working in a live environment to deliver this project on time and on budget. Our programme minimised disruption for tenants and visitors with activities such as commissioning taking place late at night.”
The project further demonstrates Russell WBHO’s expertise in delivering complex refurbishment and sustainability improvements within live retail and leisure environments, where maintaining business continuity and minimising disruption are essential.
Mark Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Retail & Leisure, said: “This work forms part of a major investment in asset improvement across Trafford Palazzo, demonstrating our long-term commitment to elevating the customer experience and driving the next phase of growth.
“Delivering works of this scale across such a large and active site is not without its challenges, but Russell WBHO’s expertise ensured the project was delivered seamlessly.”
The completion of Trafford Palazzo further strengthens Russell WBHO’s track record of delivering complex refurbishment and sustainability projects within live retail and leisure environments, combining technical expertise with careful planning to minimise disruption for occupiers and visitors.
