The Rock reaches 1m visitor mark and attracts new tenants to boot

Date published: 27 August 2010

The all-new shopping and entertainment destination, The Rock in Bury is celebrating reaching the one million-visitor mark after opening its doors to the public on the 16 July.

The success of the first month of trading has resulted in a host of new retailers joining the scheme, meaning that The Rock is now 85% let.

Menswear fashion retailer, Duffer is taking 3,452sq ft of space at The Rock and will bring well-known designers to the scheme, such as Henleys Clothing, Police 883, Amplified, Duck and Cover and Deakins Footwear, amongst others. Established in 1993 to bring designer menswear fashion to the North West, Duffer now has twelve stores throughout the region and is recognised as one of the largest independent fashion menswear retailers in the region.

Superdrug has also signed up to take space and will occupy a 5,404sq ft unit at the scheme, relocating from its existing space in Mill Gate, which will subsequently close.

In addition, local jewellers, B Jewels will take 1,083sq ft on the corner of Central Street and St John’s Square.

To enhance its retail offer further, The Rock also welcomes Millie’s Cookies which will take 494sq ft of space in addition to Yo Shake!, a milkshake and smoothie bar which has signed up to take 838sq ft of space.

Yo Shake! is a new concept which will serve over 50 flavours of milkshake, from Maltesers to Ferrero Roche as well as iced teas, coffees and more. Yo Shake will launch with a 2-4-1 opening party on September 8 and plans to open new branches in Manchester, Leeds and Los Angeles soon.

On the new concept, Kay Collins, operations director of Yo Shake!, said: “We hope to bring a great, consistent and fun product to The Rock, offering a friendly and welcoming experience from start to finish.”

David Laycock, centre director for The Rock, commented: “We have been absolutely bowled-over by the response we have had to The Rock in its first month. The trading results have been fantastic with retailers reporting to have smashed targets in the first month and in some cases already exceeding next month’s targets.

“To reach the one million visitor mark is a great way to top off what has been an amazing first month and we hope that the new tenants joining the scheme will continue to entice people back to The Rock in the weeks and years to come.”