Bury Market. World famous, apparently. I'm somewhat doubtful about the world famous claims, though…read moreit is an excellent market. Whatever you might need, for household items, or food shopping its all here, and all at great prices. The various meat, cheese and bakery stalls are amazing. The quality of the food is always top notch, everything is so fresh as its coming straight to the market from the manufacturer or supplier. My main problem is that I always end up going home with a pile of chocolate and cakes because the prices seem too good to be true!! Then theres Black puddings! This is the home of the Black pudding and if you like them, theres nothing better than a freshly cooked one eaten outdoors with lashings of tomato ketchup. Theres a couple of stalls in the outdoor market selling them. The layout of the market is somewhat haphazard, but for a very occasional visitor like myself, its nice to just wonder around taking it all in. I'm sure there are parts I've missed though. The location of the market is very convenient for public transportation, being right next to Bury Interchange which houses a bus station and a Metrolink tram station.

My local market- happens to be pretty famous too! Came here on a Friday to show my American friend…read moreCaitlin around- it was really sunny and the perfect day to stroll around. There's an indoor market with a huge selection of meat and fish, as well as other various stalls selling bits and bobs like clothes, handbags, homeware etc. There's also an outdoor part with stalls selling fruit and veg, lancashire cheeses, jams and spreads, sausages...you name it. Great to have a wander and try all the samples being handed out...before you know eat you feel like you've eaten a meal! You can also buy flowers, control knickers, bras...clothes...none of it fashionable, mainly for the OAPs. Bury is famous as the home of black pudding, I'm not a huge fan of it myself but you can come and buy it from a couple of stalls here. I've been to markets all over the world, this isn't an 'artisan' market, a lot of it is bargain tat, but I like coming here to buy meat/fish and things to cook with. Makes a change from going to Tesco and I like the atmosphere.

The Rock Bury is the newer of Bury's shopping centres, despite being almost ten years old now, it…read moredoes feel modern overall and still has a good range of shops, it is an "outdoor" area so it might not be the best place to visit in the cold/rain, compared to Millgate Shopping Centre nearby which is indoors. They have a decent selection of brands here including Marks and Spencer, Primark, Superdry, Debenhams, Nando's, JD and a new Dunkin' Donuts (one of the few branches in the whole of the UK!) It's pretty easy to follow around, it could be better sheltered in parts especially for the more rainy days, which we get more than our fair share of in Manchester. 3* - There are much better shopping centres out there, but this certainly isn't bad for a small town. It is complemented by Millgate Shopping Centre nearby which has other stores.

The Rock, Bury or 'New Bury' as some call the Rock, is a large 300 million development…read more Pedestrianized with £70k flats towering above shops a plenty such as Debs, M&S, Next, Costa, Subway; Vue Cinema, AMF bowling, Nandos etc. Free car parking after 6 pm (multi-story). St. Johns Gardens are a nice place to sit if it is warm. And there is a right good 99p shop there too. Love the place. Tai food opposite the gardens. Heaps of bike racks used as extra ram-raid stoppers near the clubs.

Manchester Fort is a large retail shopping park, just under a mile away from Manchester city…read morecentre. It does seem a little strange having a retail park so close to the city centre, where other areas of Greater Manchester are left behind but the selection of places to shop is fine, while the selection of eateries could be much improved, due to a lack of restaurants that aren't just fast food. There's a good number of coffee shops here, including Costa, Dunkin and Starbucks, the latter two have opened within the past 18 months or so, so are fairly new additions. Places to eat include KFC, Pizza Hut, Nando's and Subway. There is also a McDonald's right next to the Fort with a drive-thru (The Fort claim this to be part of the shopping park on their website) The selection of stores is okay and includes TK Maxx, Superdrug, Sports Direct, Boots, and Argos. There are also a couple of phone shops, nothing too exciting, but a decent number of stores that could save you a trip into the city centre. A couple of stores have closed recently, but with the aftermath of COVID and the fact the city centre (where many of these brands have stores, many of which are larger) is so close, this has to be expected. It is pretty easy to follow the layout, there are a couple of benches around the shopping park and some shelter to help stay dry if there's a light drizzle. Plenty of parking, meaning you shouldn't struggle to get a space somewhere. I do think the pedestrianisation could be improved for other retail parks, given the fact there are three main areas, which may mean crossing a road or going through the car park, if you're at one end of the Fort, you may have to use your car to get to adjacent McDonald's or Currys across the way. 3*

I have visited Manchester Fort regularly over the years, but I have been far more impressed during…read moremy latest visits over the past weeks, which is due to the discovery that the Shopping Park now has a Nike Outlet Store and a H&M. Since when? Fantastic! Although the H&M was smaller to what one would find in Manchester City Centre, it still has a good range of stock and very well organised, full of stylish shoppers. The Nike Outlet is, once again, smaller to what one would find in other Outlet Malls, but the range of stock, sale items, and discounts are very impressive. Personally I am seeking some new trainers for the gym, and found a great selection at bargain prices. The staff in the store are welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable. They certainly have that US Customer Service mindset, which I welcome wholeheartedly. I can see myself becoming a regular here, especially when the Summer of Fitness is upon us. The Shopping Park also boasts a TK Maxx, which I am a big fan of, and I have often found that they have a good range of stock, and I have purchased some excellent items here from clothes to home decorations. The store seems to have had a recent refurbishment to extend the first floor space, which opens out the whole store. As well as, fashion and clothing, one can find a variety of stores at this Shopping Park, and not just clothing and outlets. Manchester Fort has: Halfords Store, for all car, cycle, and motorcycle accessories; B&Q, for all home and garden DIY needs; a technologically modernised Argos, full of tablet-ordering-system and a varied system that the normal Argos shopping experience. Other stores include: Clarks, Mamas&Papas, Boots, Superdrug, M&S Food, Card Factory, Game, Maplin, Sports Direct, Specsavers, Thomas Cook, Shoe Zone, Mothercare, Thomson Holidays, Trespass, and Pound World (you can never go wrong when you have a pound shop to hand. Big fan!) For food, one can visit one of Manchester's many Nando's and KFC establishments here. I love Nando's but I haven't yet visited the one here in the Shopping Park. I think I should, don't you?

Angouleme Retail Park is a very small retail park in Bury city center, opposite The Rock and the…read moreVue Cinema. This place is one of 2 places to park in central Bury, and is a good place to park if you don't want to go into the multi-story, but it also a retail park in its' own right. They is a few shops here, but unless you are visiting Asda, it definitely isn't worth coming here to shop with their being so little, compared to The Rock close away. Here, they is a Smyths, a discount store, an Argos and a Currys PC World, but that's about it, and the stores they is here are not fantastic, just mediocre. Most of the stores would probably do better and be nicer in the newer part of The Rock, across the way as that complex is nicer, more modern, busier, it has a better atmosphere and it would be much easier for everything to be in one place. Not many people seem to walk around this retail park anymore, it is like a ghost town, and unless you need one of the shops in question (Argos and Asda are the big ones), it really isn't worth going out of your time to come here, even if you are shopping across the way in Bury The Rock anyway. I am giving 2 stars as they is some decent shops here that are not elsewhere in Bury city center, but still it isn't a great place to shop and if you are in The Rock, it is slightly out of ones way to visit, and it isn't worth it as there isn't too much there.

Firstly, I'd like to point out this store is in Bury, I know Yelp says that and the address details…read moreare correct but somehow it says Aberdeen as well, which is located at the other side of the country, in Scotland which even looks to break away from the UK and become its own "independent" country, which still sees growing calls despite a failed referendum in 2014, by the SNP who now are the main political party in Scotland, and the third largest in the UK in terms of seats in the Commons, despite not standing anywhere else. Regular readers of my reviews will know, I am fascinated by politics and once again force myself to move away for it for my regular review for Wilko in Bury's The Rock below. This branch of Wilko is a decent size, it is tucked into the corner of Bury The Rock, away from the main street but it is still easy to notice when you are passing, but due to its' location it doesn't seem as welcoming, in the cool part of town where most of the shops are, including Game, Marks and Spencer, Next and Burger King, to name a few other things situated nearby in the large "Rock" complex which is known for a large number of eateries, bowling and large Vue cinema. The decor and range here seemed pretty basic, typical of Wilko, with lots of their own branded items in hardware and other items, which Wilko mainly specialise in, the pricing seemed reasonable for most items. The staff here seemed okay but in a way chatting to them seemed awkward to make conversation, they seemed to have a security guard on duty, which in a way considering the value of the products seemed unusual because it was very cheap, but still they must feel it is needed. This store still lacks the wow factor, and although doesn't deserve a single one star I sadly don't feel it deserves anymore than 2 either, despite being very popular in the past, with previous reviews all written on Qype in 2008, it seems in 8 years this store has changed a lot, but sadly for the worse and not the better.

Wilkinsons is a well known chain for an extensive range of products at value prices…read more The Bury branch is big and holds a lot of stock so plenty to see and buy at great prices, possibly something for everyone whether you're doing DIY, craft with the kids, home wares, toiletries, gardening supplies or even toys. They have an array of various trolleys etc including the often only seen on the continent trolleys on wheels for when a trolley is too big and a basket becomes too heavy! The only downside of this branch is the layout, it's often confusing and follows no uniform pattern so it's easy to become a little disorientated and miss what you're looking for.

The store on the whole is very good with one major downfall…read more The restaurant/café smells quite awful when you first walk in. Me and my friend went there for a coffee 2 days ago and the smell was horrific. The only thing I can say it smells like is hot melted goats cheese. The coffee is nice.

This store is large, well stocked, conveniently located and well maintained. The staff are always…read morehelpful and it's easy to find your way around. They stock a wide range of products, from clothing and make-up to toys and homeware. The cafe is good, too. Look out for their Blue Cross Sales!

Shopping here is great! With plenty of main high street shops you're sure to find what you came…read morefor! The centre is always kept nice and clean and there are benches to leave your hubby at while you shop til you drop There's no river island or primark which is a little disappointing but hey! You can't fit every shop in here can you?! Parking is only £1 for upto 24 hours which is fab!! So no need to worry about ridiculous parking prices Definitely would recommend this place to family or friends, I often meet up with them here to have a coffee and catch up!

A great selection of shops all in one precinct. The large Peacocks store located next door to Boots…read moreis a favourite. Much larger than the Oldham one. Good selection of bargin shops including the pound shop and home bargins. Lots of seating to rest you tired feet and shopping bags in the centre. Everything from cafes to clothes to travel agents.

Elk Mill Centre Retail Park is located in Royton, Oldham and is easily accessible on a slip road…read morethrough the M60 . This isn't the place you would go to shop, it does have a few shops like Currys PC World and ASDA Living but for big names, they isn't loads, This is in a nice location however and does have some good places to eat, even though most of them are fast food, places include Mcdonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC as well as Frankie and Bennies and Nando's. The retail park also does have a garage inside of it, but I would recommended just getting your petrol from Tesco, due to their Petrol Price promise for clubcard holders where they knock off 20p at most a litre depending on how much you have spent in store. The retail park, unlike Manchester Fort for example does not have a website stating their current stores, news and whats going on, vacancies etc, what for a professional retail park with so many places, should be a must. This retail park does have shops, a few large ones like a Currys PC World and an Argos but to be honest it is somewhere you would come to eat, rather than shop so I can only give 2 stars.

Having grown up just around the corner from ELK MILL retail park I have seen it grow and change and…read morebecome a Oldham town staple and necessity. It's perfect for those looking to make a quick errand or go on a mini shopping spree with a mix of stores ranging from next to Asda George, Boots to Maplin, DW Sports Gym to Smyths toy store and many more! They also have your standard chain restaurants and fast food vendors. There really is EVERYTHING you could ever want and need somewhere in this retail park. I haven't been for a few months and found today that they have re-done the car park making it easier to get around and actually find a spot - it's a huge improvement! I won't lie, it can get busy especially around Christmas/Boxing Day and of course whenever there's a next sale on but I don't think I've ever been unable to get a car parking spot! Honestly I don't know what I'd do without this place and I actually have some very happy childhood memories from here... Yes I was really cool when I was a kid and hung around on a retail park - who didn't ;)

TK Maxx is similar to a designer outlet boasting many designer items at cut down prices. The Bury…read morebranch is a massive shop spread out on several floors offering everything from clothes to lampshades to luggage to toys. The bury branch is one of the better TK Maxx's that I have visited as they have a tendency to look messy and cramped making you have to root through things to locate something you may want which is always off putting to me. The stock is ever changing and unpredictable so if you see something you really want i'd advise you buy it there and then as chances are high it may not be there next time you visit. The Bury branch is quite spacious and bright and the main floorspace between the clusters of departments is fairly easy to navigate although the store lacks any real uniformity in it's layout so can be a little disorientating.

This is one of the better TK Maxxes. Quite large, with plenty of stuff to spend a couple of hours…read morelooking through. I've had quite a few bargains from this branch. Parking can be a major problem though, and the car park isn't the easiest to manoeuvre into if you've got an enormous family-wagon like me, but that's fairly trivial and it's worth the effort. It gets very busy, but there's a long line of cashiers so normally the queue doesn't take too long to clear. Last time I was there it was rather untidy, but I'm hoping that was just because final clearance was on and will give them the benefit of the doubt and award 5/5.