A cerealously great exhibition brings Kellogg’s Trafford history to life
Things are set to snap, crackle and pop in Sale as a new exhibition celebrating the legacy of Kellogg’s Trafford Park factory serves up a bowlful of nostalgia.
Now open at Trafford Local Studies and Archive Centre in Sale Waterside, the exhibition brings together more than 100 items from the cereal giant’s archives to mark the closure of the Trafford Park plant later this year. It’s a chance for visitors to take a stroll down memory lane – no spoon required.
Curated by Trafford Council’s Local Studies team, the exhibition is packed with vintage items donated by Kellogg’s, and spans nine decades from the factory’s construction in 1938 through to the present day.
At its peak in the late 20th century, the five-storey plant overlooking the Bridgewater Canal was the largest cereal production facility in the world. Employing at one time around 2,500 people, the workforce today stands at approximately 360, reflecting significant changes in manufacturing processes since the days when grain was transported in on canal boats along the Manchester Ship Canal.
The cereal plant, still the largest of its kind in Europe, serves an international market, with more than 350 tonnes of cereal leaving the factory every day, destined for shelves across the UK, Europe, and as far afield as the Middle East and Africa.
A highlight of the exhibition is a collection of items recovered from two time capsules buried in recent decades and unearthed earlier this year, offering a unique snapshot of the factory’s past, including original cereal boxes and merchandise branded with beloved mascots Tony the Tiger and Snap, Crackle and Pop.
Throughout its 88-year history, the Trafford Park site has welcomed numerous dignitaries and members of the Royal Family. Most recently, King Charles III visited the factory in 2023 to mark the 100th anniversary of the brand’s presence in the UK.
Tim McKnight, Kellanova’s Plant Director at the site, said: "I am incredibly proud of the Trafford plant’s 88-year legacy and the generations of families who built it, shaping not just our business but also breakfast culture across Europe. This exhibition is an important way to honour that shared history and recognise the people whose contribution will continue to be felt in the community for years to come."
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: "While we lament the sad closure of the plant, it has been important for us to work with Kellanova to preserve and showcase these remarkable archives. For nearly 90 years the plant has been a major local employer and a source of pride for generations of families, and this exhibition is a fitting tribute to the people behind the brand and the role they’ve played in shaping breakfast tables around the world."
The free exhibition runs until August 2026 and is open six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, on the ground floor of Sale Waterside. It has been made possible with the support of Kellanova.