The abandoned Greater Manchester shopping centre that looks like a 'surreal' setting for a classic zombie movie

Creepy images of an abandoned shopping centre in Greater Manchester are reminiscent of the classic 1970s zombie movie Dawn Of The Dead.

The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre, in Rochdale, closed its doors for good at the end of 2020 due to the economic impact of the coronavirus. Since the lights were turned off, the once thriving shopping mall has lay abandoned with shoes, clothing and furniture still displayed in some of the shop windows.

Photos taken inside the desolate centre by urban explorer Jake were uploaded to his Facebook page Exploring With Jake earlier this week. The creepy pics showing mannequins, locked up store fronts, goods still in the stores and even what appears to be discarded ammunition make it appear like the set of the classic 1978 zombie film Dawn Of The Dead.

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Dawn Of The Dead was directed by horror maestro, George A Romero, and follows a group that have taken refuge in an abandoned shopping mall which they eventually try to escape will fighting off hordes of the invading undead. The zombie classic was later remade in 2004 directed by Jack Snyder (Justice League/Man Of Steel).

Speaking to the MEN, Jake said he found wandering around the empty rooms to be a "creepy and surreal" experience. The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre opened in 1991, and its announced closure in 2020 sparked anger and disappointment from both shoppers and traders.

The centre, which housed local stores such as Fizz Bomb and Russell's Cafe, lost a number of key tenants since 2017 including Wilko's, Ryman's and New Look. The centres bosses, MCR Property Group, said a