Say goodbye to Barton Dock Rock and hello to Trafford Palazzo as the penultimate tramstop on the Trafford Park line has been officially renamed as part of a new strategic partnership – which also includes two trams being given special vinyl wrap liveries (including 3089).
Barton Dock Road stop – opened with the rest of the Trafford Park line on 22nd March 2020 – was officially renamed Trafford Palazzo on 28th October 2025. It is named after the adjacent part of The Trafford Centre which has recently undergone a renaming itself. Trafford Palazzo is home to Primark as well as the Legoland Discovery Centre (as well as toilets for when you’re out on the trams!).
Speaking about the renaming, Fran Wilkinson, Director of Customer and Growth at TfGM, said: “The renaming of the tram stop reflects its location next to Trafford Palazzo, making it clearer for those travelling to this popular destination for shopping, family days out or visiting top attractions like SeaLife. More people are choosing to leave the car at home and travel by tram, and I’d encourage passengers to take full advantage of the Bee Network. Services are running later and more often, and we have a range of value fares for people and families, so by choosing the Bee Network you could save money and time.”
Mark Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Retail & Leisure, said: “Trafford Palazzo’s partnership with TfGM is a powerful statement of intent. The partnership is focussed on placemaking and renaming the Metrolink stop to Trafford Palazzo strengthens our identity as a gateway destination within TraffordCity, whilst also reinforcing our commitment to creating a connected, accessible and memorable place for all who visit or work here.”
To celebrate the new partnership there will also be a special pop-up event on Saturday 8th November 2025. This will see roaming living statues taking the tram from the stop to Deansgate-Castlefield and back. There will also be a fun-filled event directly under the dome within the building, including a DJ and dancing roller-skaters around the fountain.
This is the most significant renaming of a stop since G-Mex became Deansgate-Castlefield in August 2010. The terminus of the Trafford Park line was also renamed when the name of the shopping centre changed from intu Trafford Centre to the The Trafford Centre.
3089 returns to the ranks of the advert carriers with this advertising wrap being added, having spent the past couple of months in plain fleet livery. This is its fourth advert following on from Dippy on Tour (January 2020-December 2020), Booking.com (August-December 2023) and Hit Radio (August 2024-August 2025).
As the light fades at dusk 3089 calls at Deansgate-Castlefield with a service to East Didsbury. (Photograph by Reece Hughes, 30th October 2025)
On-board 3035 with the next stop display showing Trafford Palazzo.
3133 is seen at Trafford Palazzo with new platform signage in place. (Photographs x2 by Reece Hughes, 31st October 2025)