Bury is the second best place for businesses to survive after a year in the UK, research has found.

The business survival rate after 12 months in Bury was recorded at 95.9 per cent in 2020 in research carried out by comparison service Utility Bidder.

The borough narrowly missed out taking the top spot to Leicester (96.7 per cent), which has big name brands like Next and ASOS manufacturing in the city. 

Like Leicester, Bury has a long history with textile production, which was led by Sir Robert Peel, who was elected Prime Minister twice during the 19th century.

Read more: The Rock shopping centre boss 'confident trend will continue'

Bury town centre has built up its footfall since the pandemic with a number of brands and businesses moving in.

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The Rock shopping centre has suffered some losses in recent years, including Debenhams, Topshop and Paperchase, but high street brands like  The Range, Tessuti, Vanilla, Skechers and Kaspa's Desserts have recently opened shops there.

The centre is currently 99 per cent full and is hoping new openings will continue in the town.

Speaking about high street shopping recently, centre director Arnold Wilcox-Wood said: “Retail has changed since we opened and the rise of the internet and online shopping certainly plays a part.  

“We know that people don’t need to go shopping anymore, they can do a lot from the comfort of their homes – but The Rock isn’t just retail.  

“We have a huge food and beverage offering as well as a very popular leisure block, including Hollywood Bowl the Vue cinema and Pure Gym.

“We are confident this trend of new openings will continue, The Rock is currently 99 per cent fully let. 

“Sadly some businesses don’t always survive and unfortunately that can be the nature of the industry, but interest in the centre remains strong and lettings are buoyant.” 

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Across the Greater Manchester boroughs, Rochdale was the next best place for start ups coming in at fourth at 95.2 per cent and Oldham was in 11th at 94.5 per cent.

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