A SCHOOL uniform shop has officially opened its doors at The Rock Shopping Centre.
Smart Start Schoolwear, part of the Debonair Schoolweargroup, is the latest tenant to join the centre.
The retailer, which has school uniform stores across the North West, including in Wythenshawe and Oldham has opened in a unit in St John’s Gardens at The Rock, opposite M&S.
Sarah of Smart start schoolwear said: “We’re really excited to have opened in Bury and are thrilled to be a part of The Rock. Our new store offers quality and value from the get-go. We meet the needs of parents and schools alike and are dedicated to maintaining high standards.
“Our shop is well-lit, clean, child-friendly and offers a modern shopping environment with plenty of changing rooms and knowledgeable staff to offer a refreshing experience. We look forward to meeting our new customers very soon.”
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Smart Start Schoolwear to The Rock and wish the team every success.”
Budding creatives are being encouraged to enter a design competition to help celebrate a Bury shopping destination’s milestone birthday.
This summer The Rock Shopping Centre is 15 and has launched a ‘Design a Birthday Card’ competition to mark the special occasion.
The competition runs from now until 31st May and 10 winning entries will go on display in The Rock’s Wall of Birthday Wishes installation in St John’s Square at The Rock from 7th July – 25th July
Each winning designer will be awarded with a £30 gift voucher to spend at The Rock and invited to see their design on display at The Rock’s birthday event.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director of The Rock, said: “This year is a milestone for The Rock and we wanted to include the community at the heart of our celebrations. The Wall of Birthday Wishes aims to celebrate creatives in Bury and we can’t wait to see the submissions. I’m sure we’ll have a tough job selecting the final 10 winners and we encourage everyone to get involved.”
Entry forms can be downloaded from The Rock’s website or collected from retailers including The Entertainer, Bob and Berts, Smiggle and Starbucks.
Submissions can be emailed to [email protected] or posted in The Rock’s competition post box which will be in St John’s Square (near The Range) every day until the competition closes on 31st May 2025.
The competition is open to all.
For more information and to download an entry form visit: www.therockbury.com
At The Rock, we’re proud to lead the way in environmental responsibility and community engagement. Through innovative partnerships and forward-thinking initiatives, we’re creating a more sustainable future for our tenants, visitors, and the wider Bury community.
Waste Management & Recycling
We’ve rolled out the new Simpler Recycling legislation, introducing five distinct waste streams and upgrading bin infrastructure across our service yards and public mall areas. Delivered in partnership with SWR Newstar, this initiative has made recycling easier and more effective for everyone at The Rock.
Energy Efficiency
To help lower our carbon footprint, we’ve transitioned to energy-efficient LED lighting with motion sensors across back-of-house spaces and our car park. This upgrade reduces emissions and supports our broader sustainability goals.
Biodiversity & Green Spaces
Nature matters to us. We’re nurturing local biodiversity with bird boxes, wildflower planting, and exciting plans for bee hives and a bug hotel—right here at The Rock. Our family-friendly events like The Blooming Potting Shed introduce children to pollinators and the joy of planting sunflowers.
Community & Social Impact
Sustainability isn’t just environmental—it’s social too. We work closely with local schools and community groups, hosting free events that champion inclusivity and environmental awareness. We proudly sponsor children’s activities such as youth football and theatre visits, and we support local charities—soon to include Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.
Tenant & Visitor Engagement
We keep our tenants informed through a dedicated green newsletter, and we promote low-emission travel with onsite EV charging points. Our retailers are sustainability champions too: M&S, Primark, Lush and more offer in-store recycling and eco-friendly shopping incentives.
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