Altrincham

Altrincham is a market town in Trafford in northwest England located about 8 miles (13 kilometers) southwest of Manchester city center. The town consists of a compact center with Victorian and Georgian brick facades and newer residential neighborhoods that spread outward.

The settlement received its charter as a Free Borough in 1290 and established a weekly market that turned the farming community into a trading center. In the 19th century the railway connection and proximity to Manchester accelerated growth and attracted commuters who settled here.

The name comes from an Old English term meaning Aldhere's settlement and locals still pronounce it with a distinctive stress on the first syllable. Residents use the green spaces along the Bridgewater Canal for daily walks and as a meeting point during summer months.

The Metrolink tram connects the town to Manchester city center in about half an hour and the stop sits just a few minutes walk from the market area. Trains and buses offer additional connections while most shops and stalls open afternoons on weekdays.

In the years after 2010 the town shifted from having one of the highest shop vacancy rates in the United Kingdom to becoming an example of successful local revival. Traders organized themselves and attracted small producers instead of waiting for large retail chains.