Popular shoe brand Skechers is set to open a store here at The Rock this spring.
The retailer is opening one of its ‘concept stores’ stocking all the latest lines and will create 15 new jobs.
It will take on a 7892 sq ft unit at the shopping destination and will stock 700 lines including footwear for all the family.
The brand will take over the former Dorothy Perkins and Burtons unit at The Rock which closed during the pandemic.
The retailer is the latest of a number of brands to join the tenant mix at The Rock within the past 12 months. The shopping and leisure destination has recently welcomed Paperchase, Blue Inc, Tessuti, Bob & Berts and Legacy Pets to its offering.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “We are very excited to welcome Skechers to The Rock. It’s a popular brand and will be a great addition to both The Rock and Bury town centre as a whole. We wish the team huge success and we’re sure this new store will be a huge hit with our customers.”
Skechers stocks a wide selection of footwear and apparel for men, women, and children. The brand offers casual, athletic and fashion trends as well as sandals and boots.
The Range is planning to open its 200th store at The Rock, Bury, this November.
The new store will be located on the site of the old Debenhams store, which closed in May this year, and is due to open on Friday 19th November.
An additional 120 full and part-time jobs will be created when the Bury branch opens, which is sure to have a positive impact on the local economy.
This job creation is exciting news during what has been an extremely challenging time for the retail sector.
Recruitment for the new store is underway and applicants can send details to the following email address: [email protected]
The new store will be spread over three floors and provide great value products across over 65,000 square feet of shopping space. From the much-loved home décor, furniture, and kitchen & dining selections that the UK retailer is known for, to everyday essentials from pet care to cleaning supplies, the new Bury store will be packed full of everything you might need for your home, leisure and garden.
In addition, Bury’s will have one of The Range’s amazing Christmas shops as part of the new store, selling trees, lights, decorations and much more to
make this Festive season even more magical.
There will be an Iceland café in-store which will be serving a wide selection of hot food and drinks including breakfast and other meal choices. The store will also be home to a luxury kitchen showroom from Jonas & James, who offer market leading quality kitchens combined with outstanding value. The collections span from ultra-contemporary to traditional favourites and incorporate the latest on-trend colours.
Not only will Bury be the 200th Range store to open across the UK and Ireland, but it will also mark the 100th Iceland in-store.
This 100th Iceland launch within The Range is a true representation of the depth and success of the partnership between The Range and Iceland, which has gone from strength to strength since the alliance was formed in 2018.
The new Iceland department will offer a wide choice of meal options at great value prices, from wellknown Iceland exclusive brands such as Greggs and Slimming World, to usual essentials like milk, bread and veg.
Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council commented on the new Range superstore: “This is a real coup for Bury and reflects the strength of our town centre offer. In attracting such a big national operator, we will be able to attract even more people to Bury and generate more jobs for local people. We know that businesses have been hit hard over Covid, and so the Council remains fully committed to supporting them with an ambitious recovery plan for our borough. But this is a great early sign that Bury’s recovery has already begun.”
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be welcoming The Range to The Rock. The brand is hugely popular and is a great addition to our tenant mix, strengthening our shopping offer and it complements the rest of our retailers very well. After a challenging 18 months this is really positive news for both The Rock and Bury town centre as a whole and we look forward to the new store opening in time for the festive season.”
Mr Wilcox-Wood added: “We’re sure The Range will be well received by our visitors and the job creation within the town is to be applauded.”
There’s plenty of exciting activities planned for the opening of the new store in Bury so keep an eye on local news and social media where more information will be released soon! The new store will be operating in line with current Government covid guidelines when it opens in November.
Having a comfortable and secure place to live has never been so important. 2020 was the year when our living spaces turned into home offices, classrooms or gyms; maybe even all three! Many of us revisited abandoned DIY projects and gave our homes a much-needed makeover.
If you’re keen to give your home a spruce-up yet aren’t sure where to start, retailer Next has analysed Google search data for hundreds of home décor queries to find out what the UK’s most popular home décor themes and trends could be for 2021.
Their research covers how searches for particular home décor queries have evolved over the last four years, as well as how they differ from region to region.
For example, out of all the counties analysed, Manchester is the place most likely to search for “home theatre” – with a sizeable 28.6% of the average monthly searches coming from the Greater Manchester area.
Other popular search terms for Greater Mancunians are “black and gold living room” (a trend that residents of West Yorkshire and the West Midlands are also Googling) and “basketweave floor”.
Feeling inspired yet? Keep reading to get all the home inspiration you need before you head to The Rock Next store post-lockdown!
1. MODERN COUNTRY
During lockdown, many of us searched for a way to incorporate the country feel of a weekend away or rural escape into our own home décor. By analysing Google searches between March and October last year, Next discovered that “French country décor” increased by a monumental +515% in searches, with “country cottage décor” and “modern farmhouse decor” also rising significantly.
Next Home’s design manager Susie Gibson believes that the modern country trend is here to stay in 2021: “Modern country is a pared back country style inspired by British boutique hotels. Next’s Charlbury or Gosford sofas reference classical details and form with a pared back feel. The Gloucester lighting range is smart and stylish, perfect for an upgraded elegant country style.”
Similarly to the country theme, queries for rustic-related furnishing rose in popularity throughout 2020. The most popular searches were “rustic desks” and “rustic living rooms” which increased by 260% and 90% respectively last year. Interior designer Nicola Burt emphasises the versatility of the rustic theme:
“A relaxed rustic look with dark, dull metals would suit an industrial urban space, whereas a more ‘cottagecore’ country look may work better in a rural or period property. […] This look requires layers – whether that is pattern, texture or colour – to make it look cosy and inviting.”
If you’re a fan of countryside-inspired décor, be sure to take a look at Next’s collection of rustic home décor, available to click and collect at The Rock.
2. COCOONING FURNITURE
Creating your own safe haven and cocooning yourself in your own furniture is set to be a big trend in 2021 – whether it’s snuggling up in a beanbag chair or spending a Sunday with the family on a comfy sofa.
“There is a desire for ultra-comfy low-level loungers, in fabrics such as velvet, bouclé, and soft, natural linens. […] Homeowners want deeply comfortable seating – a sofa to lie down on, as well being large enough for everyone to sit on together,” says Nicola.
When choosing your cocoon furnishings, it’s important to take shapes and colours into account. Nicola believes that rounded shapes and rich colours are the key to creating one’s own sanctuary:
“Squishy sofas, curved furniture shapes, and tactile, snuggly fabrics are in demand. Sofa trends feature rounded curves and geometric patterns, as well as 1920s-inspired occasional chairs with scalloped backs in rich tones of emerald green, royal blue, paprika or deep burgundy.”
If cosy furnishings take your fancy, then take a look at Next’s Home Sanctuary edit for inspiration.
3. BIOPHILIA
Studies have shown that spending more time outdoors has great health benefits such as reducing stress and increasing productivity. As such, it’s no wonder we were searching for ways to bring the outside in during 2020. Google searches for “indoor plant pots” grew by a huge +173% between March and October last year, whilst “indoor hanging baskets” jumped in searches by +50%. Nicola believes that our newfound appreciation of nature in 2020 will continue this year:
“During the pandemic people wanted to feel close to nature and many don’t have access to a garden, so they brought plants into their homes instead. […] Plants are not only good to look at and bring life to a space, but many indoor plants have health-giving properties; detoxifying the air so we can sleep better, for example.”
As we live in such a digital world, Biophilia helps to inject some much-needed nature into our home décor. Injecting some green into our lives instantly helps to uplift our moods and circulate the air indoors.
“Biophilic design gained more awareness during the pandemic, when everyone’s desire for outside space increased, and the realisation that nature makes us feel good and is beneficial to our health both physically and mentally. […] Along with the upsurge in biophilic design, the colour green has also increased in popularity. Just looking at something green can help to decrease your heart rate and decrease stress,” says Nicola.
If you’re looking for a fresh outfit for your home workouts, we’ve got you covered! Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis OBE has teamed up with Next (one of our resident retailers here at The Rock) to release a Spring 2021 activewear range.
The collection features key performance clothing essentials such as leggings, sports bras and breathable tops (all of which are available in sizes 6 to 22 or XS to XXL) that can be ordered online on the Next website and collected in-store at The Rock.
The perfect accompaniment to your home workouts
The debut Denise Lewis Edit is comprised of pieces that have been tested and approved by the Olympian herself. Suitable for a wide range of workouts, the collection has all the major features you’d expect from activewear staples – from sweat-wicking squat-proof leggings that lift your legs whilst keeping you cool, to inner waistbands and side pockets that are essential for keeping valuables secure.
As well as being a great accompaniment to your home workouts during lockdown, the collection is also engineered for “the gym of life” – in other words, it’s perfect for keeping you comfortable while going about your daily duties. Specially created with busy mums in mind, it caters for women who don’t always have time to fit workouts into their schedules.
This is certainly something mother-of-four Denise can relate to. Nevertheless, she finds that activewear keeps her looking and feeling good whilst juggling parental responsibilities, allowing her to go from running errands to working out without a wardrobe change.
“What I love about activewear is that it’s easy. It doesn’t matter what time of the day I put it on. It’s simple. I can go to the gym, I can pick up the kids from school. It’s just comfortable and I feel good in it.” – Denise Lewis
Stylish pieces made from breathable fabrics
Denise’s range is suitable for a host of different workouts – from high intensity training to low impact stretching and yoga – making her debut edit a versatile one-stop-shop for all your activewear needs.
With plenty of printed patterns and colourful designs to choose from, the collection doesn’t compromise on style. One of Denise’s favourites is the zip up hoody because it’s versatile and easy to throw on at a moment’s notice:
“I just love this zip up hoody, it’s such a strong piece. It’s perfect to throw on whether you’re coming from the gym and heading out to go shopping or picking up the kids, it’s just easy. The attention to detail is fabulous, a little bit edgy – I like!”
To cap off the outfits, Next have also developed technical trainers as part of the collection. Suitable for running and high impact activities, these sports shoes are lightweight yet supportive, available in four colours and with a moulded heel to prevent inward or outward pronation.
“These trainers are great for running or high impact activity. They’re really comfy and supportive – my feet don’t slip inside and they really grip the ground!”
So, if you’re looking to give your workout wardrobe a revamp, why not head over to the Next website to explore the Denise Lewis Edit? You can then collect in-store at The Rock.
With December now fully upon us, many of us will probably have our beautiful trees up, as well as most of the decorations in place. Home décor is a huge part of festive fever – in fact, a recent survey by Next, one of our resident retailers here at The Rock, found that one in five adults admit to being competitive when it comes to having the most lavish decorations…
So, if you’re looking to impress this year and want to turn your home in a winter wonderland, have a read of our top Christmas homeware picks from Next below, featuring luxury candles, colourful bedding and a fun singing penguin doorstop!
You can find the below at Bury’s premier retail and leisure destination, The Rock shopping centre.
Christmas bedding
This year we’ll likely be spending more time at home so finding ways to spread Christmas cheer throughout the house is more important than ever.
If you’re still not sure what style to go for, just ask a wonderful staff member at Next to guide you through the selection.
Christmas Kitchenware
This year more than ever we need to give the heart of the home the attention it deserves for the holiday season. From preparing dinner with your family to baking endless trays of cookies, there’s no denying that the kitchen is a high-traffic space during the season.
A delicious home-cooked meal will always win your family’s heart so why not make it extra special and cook it in a beautiful heart shaped casserole dish? Also, don’t forget to spice it up with traditional winter ingredients like cinnamon and dried fruits, which you can easily store in an elegant glass and wood spice rack.
Fill that cart and get ready to cook up a feast this Christmas!
Candles & Diffusers
Beautifully scented candles or diffusers are the best way to complete any home’s décor. Not only are they a beautiful source of light and joy, but they are also amazing mood-boosters and make your house smell beautiful, something that has become invaluable as we spend most of our time at home. They can create a magical atmosphere which will give that extra layer of warmth to the house.
Enjoy a walk through the candle section at Next and find the scent that best represents your Christmas style, from a delicious Gingerbread Diffuser to a festive Christmas Tree Jar Candle.
Tableware
When it comes to holiday dinners, we all want to have a beautiful table display that’s full of sparkle and Christmas cheer – especially since Christmas dinner is often the focal point of the day!
If you’re hosting a dinner at your home and want to impress the rest of your household, say cheers with a beautiful set of shiny flute glasses, and store any leftovers from the day in a fun set of festive cake tins too.
Festive doorstops
If you’re looking to take it to the next level, why not decorate around the doors within your home too? It’s a small detail, but it can really lift your spirits.
A few of our top picks are the classic Don Dachshund door stop which features a dog with a red nose dressed in a Santa hat and festive Christmas jumper. Alternatively, why not go for a super fun singing penguin doorstop, simply press the button in the middle of his belly and sing along to the lyrics of ‘’Jingle bells’’.
If you’d like to explore all the options Next has to offer this Christmas, come and visit us at The Rock shopping centre in Bury every day for a fun shopping session.
The TV star has designed a range of chic and cosy pieces for your winter wardrobe – the perfect accompaniment to the colder months.
Her recent collection with Next features pieces that are a great addition to your working from home wardrobe and will bring some colour to your outfits for the dark and gloomy winter days ahead.
Read on to find out about her latest collection, ready to order online from the Next website and collect in-store at The Rock Bury.
A fashionable edge to working from home
While the previous collection focused on getting comfortable working from home, Emma’s newest collection brings a touch of professionalism back into her styles. Her range continues to put comfort as a priority, as many of the pieces come in soft fabrics such as cotton and satin, combining comfort with professionalism.
Emma has designed a white cotton shirt for the collection, as well as black sheer tops that can be worn for work or for any virtual events in your calendar. Other staple pieces include the cropped denim and wide leg trousers which can be a nice change from loungewear and pyjamas.
Bringing colour to gloomy days
Emma’s latest collection will brighten up your wardrobe with bolder colour choices. The edit consists of bright orange, soft olive and dark blue – colours that are easy to pair with. Whether you are trying to be adventurous or stick to an understated style, the pieces are super versatile and available in a range of colours. The chunky roll neck top, for example, which comes in orange, cream and navy blue, can be paired nicely with cropped jeans or suit trousers.
“This jumper was such a hit in the last collection we’ve done it again but in a brand new colour, with trousers to match.”
Emma’s love of colour has also prompted her to design pieces in a range of fabrics and prints – from the long-sleeved animal print dress to the divine velvet suit in olive green. Both pieces are perfect for celebratory evenings at home.
“It’s no surprise that we’ve done another suit for this collection…but this time we’ve done something totally different! We have gone velvet, we have gone green, and it’s super comfortable, super slouchy, and perfect for Christmas.” –Emma Willis
Staying snug in style
As the colder months are now here, the new collection has pieces that will have you covered – quite literally! There’s plenty to keep you warm and snug during your outdoor winter walks. The edit features coats that range from formal to casual, with padded puffers and workout-appropriate jackets.
The new collection boasts a range of fabrics, with the formal Bouclé Revere Coat that comes in khaki and is easy to match with the khaki rib high neck. If you are tempted to opt for something more casual, Emma’s weather-proof padded jacket also pairs well with the rib high neck tops – available in either khaki or cream and great at keeping you warm.
What’s great about this collection is that not only does it keep you cosy when you are out and about but the pieces also come in a range of size options – from Curve to Regular fit.
Visit the Next website to order pieces from the latest Emma Willis Collection and collect in-store at The Rock Bury.
Creative schoolchildren from across Bury will see their unique colouring competition designs brought to life at The Rock Shopping Centre this October half term.
The shopping and leisure destination has been working with local schools as part of its Autumn Sheds campaign.
Earlier in the year, youngsters from: Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School, Millwood Primary Special School, Tottington Primary School and Sunny Bank Primary School took part in an in school competition to design a ‘Spring Shed’ and come up with a colourful, creative design.
Due to lockdown the activity was put on hold but now, a few months later than planned, each school’s winning design is being brought to life and painted directly on to the sheds in front of shoppers.
Artists will be ‘live’ painting the designs onto the sheds in the shopping centre from Saturday 24th October and will continue daily throughout the school half term.
A public vote will also take place where visitors can vote for their favourite Autumn Shed.
The school children’s designs include creations from:
Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School Pupils: Sadie Cohen (Year 5) Harry Jamil (Year 5) and Amelia Joseph (Year 4)
A full school submission from Millwood Primary Special School
Tottington Primary School pupils: Sophia Hogg (Year 4) and Brooke Spindler (Year 4)
Sunny Bank Primary School pupils: Ayla Rashid (Year 4), Zaynab Ali (Year 5) and Thomas Hughes (Year 6)
As well as the four colourful Autumn Sheds, a larger shed will be painted by artists and later donated to Bury-based Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.
The winner of the public vote will be announced in November. Once the sheds are removed they will be donated back to the four schools for their own use.
The Rock’s Centre Director, Arnold Wilcox-Wood, said: “We are very excited to be running this special legacy project with four of the town’s primary schools.
“This activity was just due to run during the Easter break but was put on hold. At the time of postponement so much of the work had already been done and we already had all the competition entries so we have been working hard to fulfil our promise of bringing these designs to life and are pleased to have been able to turn our Spring Sheds into Autumn Sheds
“We have thoroughly enjoyed working all of the schools on this project. We hope the completed sheds will add some colour to our malls and our customers enjoy seeing the artists at work. We’re sure the finished sheds will be put to great use back at the schools.”
Voting will now conclude on Wednesday 4th November
It can be difficult to find the motivation to exercise at home, especially if you’ve been sitting at a desk all day and want nothing more than to relax in front of the TV.
With a little help from retailer Next, who has recently partnered with Nike to create a home workouts series led by trainer Naomi Heffernan, we’ve put together some tips for working out at home, including suggestions for appropriate and comfortable workout gear, available to shop in-store at The Rock Shopping Centre.
1. Shop the right gear
Having the right clothing to exercise in is super important. Comfort and breathability are an absolute priority – you don’t want anything that’s going to make you too hot or self-conscious.
Nike trainer and Barry’s instructor Naomi Heffernan stresses the importance of having a well-fitting sports bra.
“A sports bra is probably the most important item if you’re working out. You want to make sure you are nice and secure, you are protected when you’re jumping around – you want to make sure you’re held in properly.”
Ideally, you should also own at least three tops, leggings and shorts to exercise in, of differing lengths so that you’re suited for all weather. If your workout wardrobe is in need of a revamp, Next has a great selection of sportswear available in store at The Rock Bury.
The correct footwear is also a must when it comes to exercising, as unsuitable shoes can lead to injury. Nike have recently released their latest Metcon 6 Trainers, available to order online and collect in store.
“They’re a really stable shoe to train in, so if you are doing things like squats or working with weights, they’re amazing because they’ve got such a solid base. They’re also really grippy on the sole [and] because they’re mesh-fronted as well, they’re going to keep you really nice and cool.”
2. Make sure you’re eating right
Staying fit and healthy isn’t all about exercise. For a lot of us working from home, the temptation to make regular trips to the fridge has become a habit. While there’s no shame in that, it’s important to eat healthily and stay hydrated, especially when you’re working out.
The best thing to eat pre-workout are foods which release a lot of slow burning energy, and are rich in proteins and carbohydrates. These include oatmeal or porridge, bananas, peanut butter and granola bars. Any of these are a great way to start your morning and invigorate you for the day ahead.
3. Set realistic goals
These days it can seem more difficult than ever to plan from one day to the next, especially with the demands of a busy work schedule. With this in mind, set yourself easy and measurable targets that you know you can commit to. Write your goals down and schedule them into your calendar to help you keep on track.
Trial working out in the morning and then in the evening to see which works best for you. According to Naomi, both have their benefits and it ultimately comes down to personal preference:
“If you decide to work out in the evening, you’re probably going to lift heavier and maybe run faster than you would in the morning purely because your body is so warmed up, you’ve been up for 12 hours already and you’re raring to go.”
Social media can also really help you meet your targets. Apps like Strava help you monitor your progress, and let you see how your friends are doing. Take it to the next level by creating an Instagram fitness account, and update it regularly.
4. Mark out a home workout space
Marking out your own space to work out in is a must. It doesn’t need to be huge, so long as you’ve got enough room to move around in. Try not to exercise in the same place you work, eat or sleep – this will help keep you focused, and separate your workout time from your other responsibilities.
There are plenty of workouts that can be done without equipment.
If you’re in need of inspiration, the Nike x Next home workouts videos are available online until the 29th October, offering equipment-free exercises designed to be carried out at home, along with info on the latest Nike product releases, available to shop online and collect in-store at The Rock Bury.
This season, the TV star’s designs are sophisticated and chic, with heritage-style prints and a classic feel – the perfect addition to your 2020 autumn wardrobe.
Emma Willis’s newest collection with Next features outerwear, loungewear, lingerie and denim from sizes 6 to 22.
Read on to find out about the design inspiration behind the latest collection, which is currently available online and in-store at The Rock Bury
Stylish Autumn Staples
While the previous collection consisted of bold colours and paisley prints, the colour palette for the latest collection is more neutral, striking the perfect balance between autumnal tones.
As well as neutral block colours (very à la mode for autumn 2020), Emma has designed a checked blazer, a staple for colder weather.
The checked blazer comes in two different colours that are easy to pair with most autumnal colours, ‘Port Check’ and ‘Brown Check’. If you love checked styles, you will be happy to know that the collection not only includes a checked blazer but two checked coats – perfect variations for your autumn wardrobe!
“Two things I love are blazers and checks…so we’ve done a checked blazer!! And we’ve done it in two different types of checks!” – Emma Willis
Clothes to Keep You Feeling Cosy
The designer and presenter’s latest collection includes staple autumn colours such as navy, brown and tan with pieces that will keep you feeling cosy and toasty from autumn to winter.
The range also features roll necks that come in red, orange-brown and camel as well as long sleeved tops and padded jackets for ultimate warmth.
After the success of last year’s puffer coat, this year’s collection brings a revamped puffer, designed to keep you feeling cosier than ever and with darker colour options available.
“Last year’s puffer coat was really popular so we’ve decided to do it again but we’ve given it a little makeover! It’s slightly darker khaki, it’s got a bigger neck, bigger hood and we’ve also added in a black colourway!”
Working from Home Style
Emma’s latest collection also consists of chunky knitwear and wide leg trousers – easy to wear when working from home because of their relaxed fit and added manoeuvrability.
Chunky knitwear is back for this collection, available in several colour variations to keep you toasty when pottering around the house.
“We’ve revisited the chunky knit again this year in a lovely cream and a dark navy but we’ve made it shorter so it’s tuckable!”
If you want to get extra comfy, the presenter’s latest loungewear sets are also great, loose-fitted additions to your WFH wardrobe.
The sets vary from a knitted black to a pink two-piece to suit different tastes.
The latest Emma Willis Collection is now available in-store at The Rock Bury and online on the Next website.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
