All Together Bury – Arnold Wilcox-Wood – The Rock, Bury
As part of our All Together Bury series, we’re celebrating the places that help shape everyday life in the town. This time, we caught up with Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock Shopping Centre, a key part of Bury town centre since opening in 2010.
Bringing together shopping, leisure, dining and living, The Rock plays a major role in Bury’s success as a destination.
Q: For anyone new to The Rock, how would you describe what you offer?
Arnold:
“The Rock is a mixed-use shopping and leisure destination with over 70 retail outlets, 14 food and drink venues, a 10-screen Vue cinema, a 24-lane Hollywood Bowl, and 408 apartments. It’s designed to be a place where people can shop, relax, socialise and spend time together — all in the heart of Bury.”
Q: How did The Rock come to be part of Bury town centre?
Arnold:
“Bury town centre presented a real opportunity for regeneration, and The Rock was developed to help transform the town into a modern shopping and leisure destination.”
“On a personal level, after managing 25 shopping centres in the UK and overseas, this was a unique opportunity to manage a centre in my own town — which made it especially meaningful from day one.”
Q: What makes The Rock special — and uniquely ‘Bury’?
Arnold:
“Our retail offer brings together national brands and local businesses, creating a strong mix that supports the local economy.”
“The centre provides employment for over 2,000 local residents, and we’re proud to play such an important role in supporting jobs, skills and opportunity within the borough.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about being part of Bury’s business community?
Arnold:
“The community here genuinely cares about its town centre. People are generous, welcoming and actively involved in community life, and that makes a huge difference to how the town feels.”
Q: This campaign is called ‘All Together Bury’. How does that idea reflect what you do?
Arnold:
“Beyond retail and leisure, we run free events and promotions for our customers and work closely with a charity partner each year.”
“We see ourselves as part of something bigger — working alongside other town-centre destinations, cultural organisations and the council to help Bury thrive.”
Q: And finally — your Bury favourites…
Hidden gem: “The Fusilier Museum.”
Go-to coffee: “We’re spoilt for choice, but Barista Café Bar, Caffè Nero and Costa Coffee — all on The Rock — are my regular stops.”
Q: What’s next for The Rock?
Arnold:
“The centre is thriving, but it’s vital that we keep evolving. Our focus is on ensuring The Rock continues to be one of the top shopping centres in Greater Manchester, delivering a great experience for visitors, businesses and residents alike.”
Q: One final thought on Bury…
Arnold:
“I often refer to the town as ‘Bury PLC’. Together — The Rock, Mill Gate, Bury Market, Bury Art Museum, the East Lancashire Railway, The Met, and a supportive council — Bury punches well above its weight.”
“Everything in the town centre is walkable, investment is continuing, and above all, Bury people welcome everyone with a proper Lancashire smile — and usually a good cup of tea.”
Follow @DiscoverBury to discover more stories celebrating the people, places and partnerships that make Bury such a successful and welcoming town – All Together Bury.
