OLD Trafford has spoken and the name of the £20million Shrewsbury Street scheme has finally been unveiled – Limelight.

Around 600 people took part in a public vote to name the development, which is part of the wider Old Trafford Masterplan, and ‘Limelight’ came out on top.

It was one of several potential names which emerged as the result of extensive public consultation and the community will now also contribute to the creation of the ‘Limelight’ brand, including the design of the logo.

Matthew Gardiner, Trafford Housing Trust’s chief executive, said: “Limelight is a very fitting name for this important building as it captures the energy of the local community, the vibrancy of the area and the unique and innovative nature of the development itself.

“It also creates a very confident and positive statement about what the development is all about and how it will benefit the community; fantastic amenities, high quality accommodation, vital community services, accessible facilities and a genuinely inclusive approach throughout the whole design.”

The scheme, which is expected to be completed by summer 2017, will feature a new church, community space, cafe, pharmacy, health care facilities, library, contact centre, activity hall, nursery, business units and more.

There will also be 81 extra care residential apartments which will provide older and more vulnerable people with high quality homes for them to live independently.

The development has been funded by the Homes and Communities Agency, Trafford Housing Trust and Trafford Council.

Trafford Council Leader, Cllr Sean Anstee, said: “The council and its partners remain committed to providing the local community with facilities and buildings that they feel proud of.

"This building symbolises the real sense of community spirit that exists in Old Trafford and I think it is fantastic that local people have taken the time to think about what the building means to them and then give it such a positive, uplifting name.
"I look forward to the council continuing to work with Trafford Housing Trust and other partners to build on the excellent work that has been started here to transform the local area and, through its wide-ranging, intergenerational facilities, provide real services that help improve the overall health, wellbeing and confidence of all local residents.”
As well as revealing the new name for the development, Trafford Housing Trust has also released a new video, allowing residents to take a ‘virtual tour’ of the building.

See video below: