The Greater Manchester town dubbed 'mini-Dulwich' is about to get even better

On a bright but slightly cool Thursday afternoon, the streets around Altrincham Market are bustling.

Outside the popular market hall and the neighbouring cafes, customers find their spot on the sun-dappled terraces, grab a flat white or glass of wine, and catch up with friends.

The Trafford market town certainly has a lot going for it. Regularly named one of the best places to live in the UK, you'll often find it in the top echelons of coveted lists for those looking to put down roots or enjoy a day out.

READ MORE: Inside Greater Manchester's poshest Jamaican bakery

It's not hard to see why. As well as its strong roster of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops, it boasts top schools, a 16-acre park and the National Trust's Dunham Massey on its doorstep, plus fast transport links into Manchester and the surrounding area.

The town recorded the highest shop vacancy rates in the UK in 2010. But in the last decade, it's been aided by Trafford Council's multi-million pound public realm transformation project.

With hospitality businesses and the conversion of the historic market hall into a food hall leading the way in regenerating the centre of the town, retailers have flocked back to Altrincham, which for so long was seen as failing in the face of competition from the Trafford Centre.

Today, national chains sit alongside thriving independents in a further boost to the leafy suburb. And now, a string of businesses are about to move into a new development on the former site of lost local favourite Rackhams (House of Fraser), which closed in 2018.

Last year, Altrincham made the top 50 'most desirable' places in Britain by The Telegraph, which ranks towns using census data like the proportion of residents holding managerial jobs,