HUNDREDS of people gathered at The Rock Shopping Centre for a community concert which saw the Christmas lights switched on by four local heroes.
Gill Smith, the founder of Radcliffe Litter Pickers, David Yates, Headteacher at Tottington High School, and Jennifer Hindle and Jennifer Heywood of Topping Fold Community Centre, were chosen to turn on the Christmas lights following The Rock’s campaign to find local heroes for the job.
The concert took place on Saturday 9th November, running from 3pm-5pm. The shopping centre joined forces with Roch Valley Radio to pull together the special festive event which brought the people of Bury together.
The event featured groups from the Carol Godby Theatre Workshop, Bury Music Service and performers who have been supported by Liv’s Trust. The Rock’s partner charity Secret Garden – Hoyles Park attended and ran a teddy tombola and glitter tattoo station which raised £392 for the cause.
The concert took place on a stage in St John’s Square, in front of The Range.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock said: “This year’s Christmas concert was all about shining a spotlight on the people of Bury. From our local heroes to our local talent, our switch on was a great day showcasing the very best of Bury. The event was a huge success and really does kick start of the Christmas trading period for The Rock. We are so grateful to everyone who was involved and helped make the day a success.”
The switch on event was free to attend and marks the beginning of the Christmas season for The Rock. The shopping centre has already announced it will host a FREE Santa’s Grotto from 30th November and the Rock Express land train will return in December.
Kenji marks 10th anniversary with new store at The Rock
East-Asian-inspired lifestyle brand, KENJI, is set to mark its 10th anniversary with the grand opening of a brand-new permanent store at The Rock Shopping Centre this Christmas season with the creation of 10 new jobs.
Located on Central Street within The Rock, the store will open this November, with the official launch date to be confirmed. The new store design draws inspiration from the upcoming KENJILAND app, featuring a vibrant and immersive retail environment that will introduce a fresh concept to the shopping centre.
This opening coincides with KENJI’s decade in business, with the brand’s very first store launching in Bury in 2015. In celebration of this milestone, both stores in The Rock and Mill Gate will be open and trade through the Christmas period, offering shoppers even more opportunities to explore KENJI’s unique collections.
Known for its stylish and contemporary offerings, KENJI provides a wide range of designer homewares, kitchenwares, stationery, and fashion accessories.
Eddie Shepherd, Managing Director of KENJI said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating our 10th anniversary with the opening of a larger store with a broader product offer at The Rock in Bury. This new store’s creative inspiration is derived from our upcoming KENJILAND app, showcases our passion for innovation, and reaffirms our confidence in the centre as the premier shopping destination in Bury. As we look to the future, this store represents the next chapter in our journey, and we can’t wait to share it with the community during the festive season.”
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, added: “KENJI has a very exciting offer which we think will be hugely popular with our visitors. We look forward to the store opening ahead of the busy Christmas trading period and wish the team all the success. We’re thrilled to be able to celebrate their 10th anniversary with the opening of a store at The Rock.”
A STEAK restaurant which promises ‘a unique eating experience’ will open at The Rock Shopping and Leisure Centre this autumn.
The Firepit will open in at The Rock next month, creating 25 jobs in the town.
The restaurant, which also has branches in neighbouring Rawtenstall and Blackburn will open in the former Frankie and Benny’s unit at the centre.
Founded in Rawtenstall in 2014, The Firepit’s signature dish is steak-on-a-stone cooked at the table on a 350-degree lava rock, which holds its temperature to ensure it is done exactly to the customer’s liking.
The menu also includes burgers, hanging kebabs, vegetarian options, fish, salads and more.
Peter Novak founder of The Firepit said: “Opening a restaurant in Bury town centre has been an ambition of ours for a number of years and we are so excited to now be making that a reality. The Firepit is a firm favourite amongst many diners in Rawtenstall and Blackburn where we already have two restaurants, and we are looking forward to bringing that same dining experience to the people of Bury.”
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, added: “We are thrilled to be welcoming The Firepit to our exciting tenant mix. We know the group’s other restaurants in the region are very popular and we are sure that The Firepit will be a huge hit with our visitors.”
Visitors to The Rock Shopping Centre were treated to a two-day fashion event to help inspire their autumn and winter wardrobes over the weekend.
The shopping and leisure destination held their ‘Fashion Through The Glass’ event where shop window mannequins were swapped for models showcasing the latest autumn looks.
Shows took place on Friday 20th September and Saturday 21st September and were held to inspire shoppers updating their wardrobes ready for cosy season.
Retailers including Next, M&S, River Island, Primark, Vanilla, FME and Superdry were involved in the style showcase.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, centre director of The Rock, said: “Once again our fashion showcases proved to be hugely popular with our customers. We are thrilled to have been able to put on this event for a second time this year and work with our retailers to promote their latest collections.”
A community forest school and sensory garden has been chosen as The Rock Shopping Centre’s new charity of choice.
Secret Garden at Hoyles Park run sessions designed to bring the community together no matter ability income or background.
The charity received the highest number of votes in a recent public vote carried out by The Rock.
At its base in Hoyles Park, the charity has many different zones to allow people to express themselves, develop skills all whilst being surrounded by nature.
They also host inclusive SEN sessions which provide a safe, secure space for children with disabilities to roam freely and explore the environment whilst parents and careers socialise and watch their child flourish.
The Rock’s Centre Director, Arnold Wilcox-Wood said: “Over the past few weeks we held a public vote via our website. The Secret Garden is the cause which received the highest number of public votes.
“Our new partnership with the charity will begin from July 1st and we’re very much looking forward to working together to help them raise funds and awareness.
The charity is headed up by Jessica Fraser-Kelly. She said: “We are over the moon to have been selected at The Rock’s new charity. This partnership will allow us to spread the word about our organisation, which in turn will allow us to support more people in the community, bring more people outdoors to thrive in nature, and help us raise funds towards our community space.”
The Rock’s partnership with Liv’s Trust will conclude at the end of June.
Arnold added: “We have enjoyed working very closely with everyone at Liv’s Trust over the past year and their dedication to the charity and Olivia’s legacy is outstanding. We are delighted to have raised over £4,500 to date for this wonderful cause during this time and we’re grateful to all our customers and retailers who have helped us to raise such a significant amount. We wish the charity and all those who they support the very best of luck moving forward.”
GREEN fingered youngsters have had a blooming good time at The Rock Shopping Centre this half term.
The shopping and leisure destination unveiled its May half term installation – The Blooming Potting Shed – in time for the bank holiday weekend and kicked off with workshops around the theme ‘how does your garden grow’ on Saturday 25th May.
The wooden structure, which is in front of The Range, is covered in flowers and plant pots surrounded by a lawn with picnic benches for families to take a break from shopping whilst also creating the perfect backdrop for any social snaps.
On Saturday, the event space came to life, with a day of workshops where children could decorate a plant pot and then plant their own sunflower seed to take home. The classes were delivered by event duo Flora and Fauna.
Another day of workshops will run on Wednesday 29th May focusing on ‘why we need the buzzy bees’. They’ll run from 11am – 3pm. The workshops are completely free to attend and run on a first come, first served basis. Visit The Rock’s website to find out more.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “The Blooming Potting Shed has added a vibrant splash of colour to The Rock this half term and it is wonderful to see so many children and families enjoying these free workshops.”
The Blooming Potting Shed is in situ until Sunday 2nd June.
A CHARITY day which also remembered the victims of the Manchester Arena Bomb has raised £638.83.
The Rock Shopping Centre, teamed up with Bury-based charity Liv’s Trust to put on a day of remembrance and reflection, as well as raising much needed funds for the charity.
Liv’s Trust – which is The Rock’s partner charity – was set up in memory of Olivia Campbell-Hardy from Bury who was killed in the arena atrocity. The charity aims to support young people with their music and dance ambitions.
On Saturday 18th May, just days before the seventh anniversary of the bomb, in which 22 people had their lives taken, Liv’s Trust Charity Day took place at The Rock. Running from 11am until 3pm, the event included a showcase of music and talent as well as an opportunity to remember and raise funds.
Performances by young people supported by the charity took place during the day and the line-up included Bury’s Fire Choir, Bury’s Encore Youth Fire Choir and those involved with the charity’s Hear Me Roar music group.
There was also an opportunity to engage with The Manchester Survivors Choir.
Fundraising activity, including a raffle and the chance to buy a heart memento were also held.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “Saturday’s event was a really special day and we’re pleased that so many people supported Liv’s Trust and helped to raise such vital funds.
“The young people the charity supports put on a brilliant showcase throughout the day and kept our shoppers entertained.
“Liv’s Trust Day also included the chance to remember and reflect on the arena atrocity and it was humbling to see so many people join together to remember the 22 victims. It was a day filled with emotions and something The Rock is proud to have been involved with.”
Sharon Goodman, Olivia’s grandma, added: “The build up to the anniversary is always difficult but on Saturday it confirmed that the Trust had achieved its aims as a living legacy to Olivia. She loved to sing and dance.
“Thank you to everyone who supported and donated to the event. You were truly generous.
“We would like to thank all the performers, The Rock staff, Roch Valley Radio and presenter Scarlett and all volunteers. It’s an event that will stay in our hearts and minds.”
The Rock is on the hunt for a new partner charity.
The centre is looking for a local charity to partner with and support with fundraising events – and submissions are open from now until 17th May.
To put forward a charity for consideration, the nominator must work for or be heavily involved in the charity and have its permission to enter.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “We have worked closely with several charities in Bury over the years and aim to refresh this partnership each year. There are so many good causes out there we know it’s going to be a hugely difficult choice to pick who that partner will be and that’s why, once we have a shortlist of three charities, we will be opening it up to a public vote through our website to give the public the final say on who our charity of choice will be.”
Once the nominations are received a shortlist of three charities will be made by The Rock and an online vote will run for two weeks in June – the charity with the highest number of votes will become The Rock’s new partner charity.
The Rock’s current partner charity is Liv’s Trust and it will automatically be added to the public vote.
The charity with the most votes will become The Rock’s charity of choice from July.
THE VICTIMS of the Manchester Arena Bomb will be remembered with a special day of fundraising at The Rock Shopping Centre this month.
The shopping and leisure destination has teamed up with Bury-based charity Liv’s Trust to put on a day of remembrance and reflection, as well as raising much needed funds for the charity.
Liv’s Trust – which is The Rock’s partner charity – was set up in memory of Olivia Campbell-Hardy from Bury who was killed in the arena atrocity. The charity aims to support young people with their music and dance ambitions.
On Saturday 18th May, just days before the seventh anniversary of the bomb, in which 22 people had their lives taken, Liv’s Trust Charity Day will be held at the centre.
Running from 11am until 3pm, the event will be a showcase of music and talent as well as an opportunity to remember and raise funds. Performances by young people supported by the charity will take place during the day and the line-up includes Bury’s Encore Youth Choir, Lark Dance and those involved with the charity’s Hear Me Roar music group.
There will also be the opportunity to engage with The Manchester Survivors Choir. They are willing to talk to anyone affected by events or anyone about coping and overcoming trauma.
Fundraising activity, including a raffle and the chance to buy a heart memento are also planned.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “We have been working with Liv’s Trust for almost a year and we’re always blown away by their enthusiasm and their campaign to support young people in their endeavours. We’re really pleased to be working with Sharon, Steve and their team on this charity day and whilst we know there will be some very emotive moments throughout the day, we’re hoping that our shoppers will take a moment to stop and reflect, and where possible dig deep to support this very worthy cause.”
Sharon Goodman, Olivia’s grandma, added: ““This event will ensure our 22 beautiful souls may be gone but not forgotten. We hope many people will join us as we reflect and raise funds.”
DOZENS of children have taken part in a host of free and fun chocolate-themed workshops at The Rock Shopping Centre this Easter.
The shopping and leisure destination unveiled its Easter installation – The World of Imagination – in time for the bank holiday weekend and kicked off the chocolate and sweets fun with workshops on Saturday 30th March.
The activation is described by The Rock as a ‘magical room of all things sweet and nice’ and is aimed at bringing joy and fun to the centre this Easter.
The World of Imagination takes the form of a candy house with smarty and candy stripe walls creating the perfect backdrop for some fun Easter pictures.
Inside includes giant candy canes and prop lollipops complete with brightly coloured shelves filled with sweet jars taking inspiration from the new Wonka film.
On Saturday – the event space came to life – with free sweet treat workshops running throughout the day, including cookie decorating, chocolate marbling and mallow bunny making.
Another day of workshops will run on Friday 5th April between 11am and 3pm. The workshops are completely free to attend and run on a first come, first served basis. Visit The Rock’s website to find out more.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “Our workshops were a huge hit with visitors over the Easter weekend and we were thrilled to welcome people from far and wide to take part. We’ll be doing it all again on Friday, we look forward to welcoming families to take part in this free, Easter fun.”
The World of Imagination is in situ until Friday 12th April and visitors are encouraged to have a nosey inside and take memorable photos.
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