Local Development & Regeneration | One of the biggest advantages to living and working in Bury is its proximity to Manchester City Centre. The Metrolink provides a convenient and efficient "two-way" link to the city centre, making developing business links within the city an extremely practical option for Bury businesses. Future plans Bury's ambitions and corporate priorities are to create a popular visitor destination, a premier retail town in the north of Manchester and quality jobs for Bury people by working closely with partners at Manchester Enterprises and Marketing Manchester who co-ordinate strategy for the Greater Manchester area. Bury Town Centre is undergoing a radical overhaul in several key areas to re-invigorate Bury's fortunes and redefine Bury's role in the region as a premier shopping and employment destination. The town centre regeneration programme is committed to creating a prosperous and enjoyable town centre environment. The Rock Development - Ł350m A major redevelopment is now underway next to the town centre which will change the face of Bury forever. Due to open in autumn 2010, the Ł350m development by Thornfield Properties will double the retail floor space of the town centre attracting investment and raising the profile of Bury as a retail destination. The site located at the end of The Rock opposite Wilkinsons will be home to two department stores, Debenhams and M&S, along with 50 other shops, a 10-screen cinema, 397 apartments, a 1,250 space multi-storey car park along with restaurants and new public spaces. www.therockbury.com Townside Fields - Ł80m Award-winning Developers Ask Developments and joint venture partners Bury Council are working together as AskBury, to create an exciting new quarter in Bury Town Centre. The 165,000 sq ft scheme located opposite the Town Hall will include a wide range of enhanced facilities and services as part of Bury Primary Care trust for a brand new state-of-the-art Primary care centre. A second scheme will include 200 new apartments and extensive public landscaping. www.askdevelopments.com/projects/details/10802 Chamberhall Business Park Chamberhall is a unique opportunity for developers and employers alike with sites available during 2008 onwards. Offering 0.5m sq ft of office space and up to 2,500 jobs. Set in parkland along the River Irwell and within walking distance of Bury Town Centre. www.bury.gov.uk/showcase | Tel. 0161 253 5897 Award-winning green spaces Throughout Bury green open space is recognised as a valuable resource. Some 11 of Bury's parks have achieved the national Green Flag standard which means they are amongst the best in England and Wales. Surrounded by 36 hectares of scenic countryside along-side the River Irwell, Burrs country park is just one mile north west of Bury town centre. Key facts Ą Population Đ 182,900 (2006) rising from 180,900 in 2000 Ą Skills Đ 26.8% of population achieve NVQ Level 4 (England 26.2%, 2005) Ą Pupils achieving 5 + GCSEs (A* - C) 52.8% (England 46.0%, 2007) Ą Employment Rate Đ 77.9 % of working age population (England 74.4%, 2006) Ą 6,350 businesses; 62,900 employees (2006) Ą Largest growing sectors (by employee numbers, 2004) Health and social work; Post and telecoms; Education; Retail; Construction; Real estate Ą Bury people are actively entrepreneurial with higher than average start-up rates for Greater Manchester. Tel. 0161 253 5000 | www.bury.gov.uk