Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, has chosen Manchester to host its revolutionary new Space – where you can look but you can’t buy.
“Manchester has a rich history in technical innovation, not least when it comes to transport, and is leading the way in terms of sustainability and the digital revolution – so it is the perfect location for our second home in the UK,” says Jonathan Goodman, CEO of Polestar UK. “This is an extraordinary time to be opening a new retail proposition, but Polestar is anything but an ordinary brand – and Manchester is anything but an ordinary city.”
The Polestar Space within the Manchester Trafford Centre is situated at the heart of where people go to shop and relax, for a hassle-free customer journey. Minimalist design and integrated digital interactivity ensure the product remains the focus. Non-commissioned Polestar Specialists are there to inform consumers about the brand and its products before using the Polestar website to order their car, Polestar 1 electric performance hybrid GT or the Polestar 2 fully-electric performance fastback, directly from the Swedish manufacturer.
The Polestar Space at the Trafford Centre was initially due to open its doors three months ago, but the national lockdown means it will now launch on 11thMarch but for now the Manchester team is working with the community to help families in need of support.
Tomorrow (Thursday) a fleet of 10 Polestar 2 electric vehicles will assemble atthe Trafford Centre to deliver over four tonnes of food – or 10,000 meals – to families supported by FareShare Greater Manchester. The food has been donated by members of the media and Polestar UK staff, following a campaign inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford.
When the Space’s formal opening had to be cancelled because of COVID-19 restrictions closing non-essential retail, the Manchester staff came up with an idea to help others rather than wait for the Space to reopen. Using its London Space opening as the basis, when a launch-in-a-box was sent to the homes of the journalists who would have been invited to the event, the team in Manchester sent out empty boxes to the same people to fill them with non-perishable items for families in need.
The initiative, dubbed #NoWasteofSpace, went viral on social media and a nationwide campaign was quickly co-ordinated, with hundreds of boxes soon being sent in by fans including Jason Manford, the Manchester United and Swedish International footballer Victor Lindelof and Dynasty star Emma Samms.
Overwhelmed by the response, Polestar, who have matched every donation kilo for kilo, had to increase the scale of what they needed to buy.
“We are a new brand of car, a new way to see cars, and a new type of business in the North West,” said Goodman. “And we want to give back, to be a part of the city here in Manchester,” he said. “Our local team have joined with FareShare Greater Manchester to deliver over 10,000 meals to those people who are facing challenges in these very difficult times. We are working with the community now and will continue to do so when we are able to welcome everyone to our Space at the Trafford Centre.”
