Summer’s not over yet! intu Trafford Centre installs giant 50-foot artificial sun

If you’re thinking of heading to intu Trafford Centre in the next few days, take a tip from us and take a pair of sunglasses.

Because it’s guaranteed to be sunny there, thanks to a giant 50-foot artificial sun modelled on a photograph taken by NASA. And there’s a ‘sunny spots’ where you can relax on a deck chair and do a spot of sunbathing.

The glowing, bright orange sphere took 12 weeks to build, has a 15-metre circumference and shines as brightly as 12,000 lightbulbs.

According to research conducted by intu, a third of people say 2018 has been their happiest summer in memory despite the economic uncertainty, with 20% crediting the sunshine.

Spurred on by these statistics, they commissioned the construction of the giant artificial sun with a view to improving the moods of customers visiting their centres.

“We know that people feel happier when it’s sunny and after a glorious summer we wanted to extend the sunshine and create something sunny for our 35 million shoppers,” said intu customer experience director Roger Binks.

The artificial sun will be shining inside intu Trafford Centre until 21st September before going on a tour of 11 intu centres across the country.