Bury Times, July 13, 2006

DEBENHAMS has been confirmed as the flagship store for the £220 million transformation of The Rock.

The hugely successful department store has signed up as the first retailer to occupy the development. It will occupy three storeys and include an in-house restaurant, making it larger than its store in Bolton.

Councillor Wayne Campbell, council leader, said it was great step forward for the project.

"Debenhams are a major retailer and the confidence they have shown in signing up for The Rock demonstrates the strength of these proposals to provide a truly visionary future for the town.

"We are looking forward to work commencing and the delivery of this exciting project that will provide more choice and a prosperous future for Bury."

The entire regeneration of the town centre takes in 750,000 sq ft and is being developed by Thornfield Properties in partnership with the council. Initial works have already begun and The Rock is due for completion in 2009.

The scheme will also include 60 new shops, a ten-screen multiplex cinema and ten-pin bowling complex, and a number of cafes and restaurants.

There will also be a 45,000 sq ft Primary Care Trust medical centre which will replace the current Minden Centre, and provide health care for 18,000 patients, both "walk-in" and out-patients treatment, a dental service and offices.

The Rock will also see 200 residential homes, a proportion of which will be "affordable housing", a new relief road and better pedestrian links, plus a 1,000-space multi-storey car park with direct links to the Debenhams store.

Town centre businesses will have an opportunity to view and discuss with Thornfield full details of the proposals, including a development timetable, at the next meeting of the Town Centre Forum. This will be held in early September.

Jason Marcus, chief executive of Thornfield Properties, said: "Our vision is to create a vibrant new extension to Bury town centre.

"Bringing new retailers, family leisure facilities, modern housing and greatly improved health service facilities means that Bury will attract further investment."