UK town dubbed ‘mini Dulwich’ is one of the best places to live in the country

The Trafford market town has much to offer, regularly ranking as one of the UK’s best places to live, making it a top choice for those looking to settle down or enjoy a day trip.

It’s easy to see why – boasting a plethora of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, top-rated schools, a 16-acre park, and the National Trust’s Dunham Massey nearby, not to mention quick transport links to Manchester and beyond.

Despite recording the highest shop vacancy rates in the UK in 2010, the town has seen a revival over the past decade, thanks to Trafford Council’s multi-million-pound public realm transformation project. Hospitality businesses and the conversion of the historic market hall into a food hall have led the way in revitalising the town centre, attracting retailers back to Altrincham, which had long been viewed as struggling against competition from the Trafford Centre.

Today, the leafy suburb is witnessing a retail resurgence with national chains co-existing alongside burgeoning independents; and now a bevvy of businesses are getting ready to set up shop in a recent development at the site of the bygone local darling, Rackhams (House of Fraser), which shut its doors back in 2018.

Last year, Altrincham rocketed into the top 50 ‘most desirable’ UK locations list curated by The Telegraph, with factors such as the proportion of residents in managerial roles, their overall health, and the cost of housing coming into play for the rankings.

Dubbed a ‘mini-Dulwich’, in a reference to the affluent South East London district and also featuring the high-end bakery chain Gail’s, Altrincham was lauded for boasting some of the premier schools in the North West, a ‘great’ high street, and an outstanding food hall.

Further cementing its reputation, this year Altrincham has been named among the optimal spots to purchase property in Greater Manchester. In May, distinguished estate agents from the area tipped their hats to the Trafford gem, hailing it as offering ‘something for everyone,’ appealing to young professionals, families, and retirees alike.

“From brilliant schools and local shops to green spaces and transport links, it has everything all neatly wrapped up with beautiful tree-lined streets and unique architecture,” shares Gareth Yates, a personal estate agent with experience in selling homes throughout the region.

However, those looking to buy into this sought-after area should brace themselves it comes with a steep price tag. According to the most recent Land Registry data, homes in Altrincham were sold for an average price of £535,369 over the past year.

Semi-detached properties made up the majority of sales, fetching an average price of £527,302, while flats were the least expensive property type, selling for approximately £266,827, reported Manchester Evening News.

Altrincham is one of the original market towns, boasting a charter dating back to 1290, and its market has always been at the heart of the town. However, it was the rejuvenation led by Nick Johnson MBE and Jenny Thompson that sparked the town’s transformation.

The Market House, adjacent to the outdoor covered market, became home to a variety of independent food stalls serving stonebaked pizzas, succulent burgers and award-winning pies. Although the offerings have changed since its inception, visitors can still enjoy top-quality wines, freshly brewed coffee and a range of sweet treats.

The covered markets are just as popular, with an increasing number of food and drink concepts expanding in the area. Alongside other traders selling vintage clothing, furniture, household and garden essentials, and modern crafts and gifts, it has become a favourite spot for locals and tourists.

As a crucial part of the regeneration puzzle, it has often been cited as a model for other towns and areas to emulate in terms of urban revitalisation, but its influence reaches far beyond its Grade II-listed walls. Altrincham’s food and drink scene is a standout in Greater Manchester, rivalling the likes of Didsbury, Chorlton, Stockport, Sale and even the city centre.

The market town’s high street and surrounding areas are home to celebrity-frequented coffee spots such as the bohemian-style So Marrakech, which combines Moroccan homewares with latte art, and Gail’s, a trendy coffee chain that selected Altrincham for its first outpost in the North of England outside London. Other local favourites include the cosy Gran T’s, Two Brothers, Hive Stores and Bloc, among others.

Breakfast enthusiasts can enjoy Blanchflower’s impressive sourdough creations, eggs and brunch staples, while bakeries like Most and Bread Bin have woven themselves into the town’s culinary fabric. As evening falls, the all-day dining and drinking spot Con Club, Porta Tapas and sushi masters Unagi, located next to the upscale Everyman cinema, are must-visits.

Altrincham’s nightlife is enhanced by a range of dining concepts, including Tre Ciccio, Jardim Rodizio, Phanthong Thai, Rigatoni’s, Damo and Bar Etna. Goose Green, a historic hamlet once housing residential cottages for local workers, now serves as a hub of pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars.

The Stamford Quarter and its Foundation Building, which is located opposite the town’s transport interchange, represent the next phase in the town’s regeneration. This follows from the success of the market hall and the growth of independent businesses.

Work began on the Foundation Building, a mixed-use destination on the site of the former Rackhams building, in January 2022. Trafford Council’s planning committee approved plans to transform it into a 37,500 sq ft commercial workspace and 25,000 sq ft retail and leisure space as part of a £13.7m makeover.

The scheme, a collaboration between Bruntwood and Trafford Council, features a state-of-the-art workspace for businesses of all sizes, including a co-working element. The building is framed by a 340 sq m ‘living wall’ designed to provide oxygen and help reduce noise levels.

A number of retailers and food and drink concepts have already moved in. Outside, a mix of pop-ups and events are making the most of the wider Stamford Quarter, the rebranded central shopping district that includes George Street, Stamford Square, the former site of the Rackhams building on Stamford New Road, and neighbouring streets.

James Tootle, Head of Retail and Leisure at Bruntwood, expressed enthusiasm over the Stamford Quarter’s transformation into a dynamic hub for both independent and national businesses, following the news that Mountain Warehouse is set to open its first Greater Manchester store there. “The Stamford Quarter has become the heart of the town centre, evolving over the past few years into a vibrant place where independent businesses thrive alongside national brands, workspaces and hospitality and leisure venues,” he remarked.

Tootle also highlighted the positive developments saying, “It’s great to see the positive impact on the local community, with increased footfall in the retail spaces, businesses taking up workspace and hospitality extending their day to night offering. It’s creating a great buzz across the high street.”

In what would mark an upbeat chapter for Stamford Quarter, last year witnessed a five percent uptick in visitors year on year a feather in the cap for the area as it lures shoppers back to the high street, countering the prevalent narrative of decline in physical retail experiences in some UK regions. With the arrival of Mountain Warehouse, the UK’s top outdoor retailer, the district further cements its growing reputation for melding leading high-street names with niche independents without forsaking the local spirit that has seen the town rise in prominence recently.

This burgeoning mix of shops like Parasol, Utility, Holland Barrett, Gift & Home, Next, Boots, Flannels, Sostrene Grene, Nationwide, and others symbolises the successful endeavour to revitalize the traditional high street atmosphere. In addition to the Lane seven bowling alley and Starbucks, the development will soon welcome pizza experts Nell’s and beauty retailer Lookfantastic, which is set to open a new concept store in the Stamford Quarter later this year.

With a series of events such as family-friendly activities, food giveaways, and art workshops over the past few months, it’s evident that there’s a concerted effort to establish a lively retail and hospitality experience that connects with Altrincham Market and the nearby streets, enhancing the town’s reputation as one of the UK’s most sought-after locations at present.