The Wheatsheaf is one of the smaller shopping centres in Rochdale, to join the Rochdale Exchange…read moreand high street, but on my visit it certainly wasn't the "best shopping centre in town" as the website makes out. The wheatsheaf is quite a big space with 3 floors, but still it isn't a very nice shopping centre, with not many places left, staff walking around or even signage. This shopping centre does have a lift, but it is confusing and they isn't enough signage to say where is where, and it is hard to go up and down the floors as it seems not worth to even come in here, due to a lack of shops. On my visit, it was reasonably late on a Monday evening, but still the shops were open, but the atmosphere was terrible, it was as quiet as a library and simply not a nice place to shop, with empty spaces and only few, large shops such as Wilko and Argos. Parking here is quite easy enough with a large amount of parking of course being in Rochdale city centre, with most of them being free of course, but still when in Rochdale centre, this certainly is a place you will only visit to go to one of the stores like Wilko and Argos, and when you do, it certainly feels like an inconvenience. Ryan C has got it spot on, it is simply an arndale for Argos and Wilkinsons, with a few other additions. I can't warrant giving any more than one star for the Wheatsheaf sadly.

I haven't stepped foot in Rochdale Town Centre for over 10 years…read more The last time I came here was because ALL:Sports (remember them ?) we're a man down & thus I had to up sticks from the Oldham Store and make my way there. This also was the 1st time I had stepped into "The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre". Wow, what a dump. It's basically a indoor shopping centre for Wilkinsons & Argos as they are the only 2 stores that I ventured into due to the others being either being empty or at that moment I time I neither wanted my nails doing or my eyebrows threaded. See ya in another 10 years

Middleton Shopping Centre is an old, run-down mall in the town centre of Middleton (a town in…read moreManchester), it's been becoming worse and worse every year now, to the point actually having to visit here feels like a chore. The set-up and management of the mall is terrible, after a certain time you have to buzz in to get in when only the gym and Health Center are open, and I've been made to wait outside in the cold and the rain ignored, the bell just doesn't seem to be monitored all the time, which meant I was late to a medical appointment... this is a regular occurrence which has been going on since way before COVID. Very few branded stores are left now, there are stores from Wilko, Boots, EE and WHSmith (which includes a Post Office) and a Costa Coffee, many of which are brands which seem to be in 99% of towns anyway. The interior is boring and dated, it feels like it hasn't been improved in years, the whole vibe is depressing of a mall which was once OK which has fallen and continues to do so. It isn't even worth visiting as a Middleton resident, let alone from further afront. A real shame. 1*

Good choice of shops, coffee shops /restaurants and you can get your basic food shopping done in…read morethere too. Good parking facilities and it is next to the bus station. Tesco is at walking distance in case you need more food. The market is just outside the centre, I was slightly disappointed with the amount of stalls but maybe some had already packed up. Will go earlier next time.

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.

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 ;)

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.

Wow shopping madness wasn't this busy over Christmas. Maybe people shopping last minute for…read morenew years eve. Great vibe everyone in high spirits.

Millgate Shopping Centre may no longer be Bury's main/flagship shopping centre, but giving credit…read morewhere credit is due, they have still carried on despite the new The Rock development and tried their best to still grow and improve, which is rather good for a small town, considering there3 is a lack of empty units around the mall, which is good to see. Brands here include Boots, Costa, CeX, EE, HMV, Waterstones, WHSmith and all of the UK's main mobile phone operators, and Bury Market is right outside. Parking is generally quite cheap, at a couple of pounds, it still could be better value for money right now and as of January 2021, the car park is closed until further notice but there are satisfactory public transport links nearby including via bus and Metrolink, the latter is, of course, quicker from Manchester compared to the 135 which takes twice as long. The staff around the mall seemed friendly and happy to help. 3* - Great for the people of Bury, not really worth a trip out for, but still a decent shopping centre for a small town, supported by The Rock nearby.

Mill Gate is in a good location, being in the middle of the market complex, it is generally busy,…read morehardly any premises up for rent, though not of the Trafford Centre size, the variety of shops is quite good, plus various pop ups, and one can access the indoor market without going outside in bad weather, which is useful, certainly a better set up than Bolton or Blackburn, since Bury parking is much better than Blackburn!

'Wow, a parade full of chocolatey coffee? Where do I sign?'…read more One slippery, sleet-ridden walk later... 'Er, sir, sorry, I'm here now and I don't see any chocolatey coffee. Or parades. In fact I feel like I'm in Soviet Russia, which I know is a comparison I've used a lot this week and really should stop. And I'm fearing for my life. Everywhere is cold, dank, and desolate.' Kid, you ain't in Kansas anymore, this is Broughton. And you're in Mocha Parade, 'mock' being the operative word here as you will feel like you've been the victim of a cruel prank. I was in a queue of very slurry and wobbly people in the Post Office, the outside of which made me unsure as to whether it was open, in use even, or had been abandoned following a nuclear fallout. As it happened it was in fact fully functional, but the clientele weren't pleasant and the member of staff behind the bullet proof glass looked terrified. Still, I got the job done. I actually took the time to wander around during this visit. I'd only been here once before to grab a prescription from one of the three chemists (yes, three chemists... what on earth does that imply) that reside within this blue gated monolith of 1960s architectural horror. But despite my reservations... ensure you're not drinking a beverage right now because you'll spit it all over your computer screen... Mocha Parade is actually an okay place to shop. The fruit and vegetable shop is worth the trip alone. I'd got the tip from a friend of mine who said she'd returned from there with two huge bags of goodies for a mere £2. It's true, when I popped my head round I did indeed find one of those elusive independent outlets which sells decent local produce. I'm definitely going to brave the eeriness of this shopping area to grab all my soup-making ingredients from that bad boy. And with a mass of cheap shops just round the corner, well, for the money you save it's worth feeling slightly uncomfortable. Broughton may not be pretty, but it's one of those small city areas that has a lot of hidden gems. Once you look past the grimy veneer, Mocha Parade is just fine and dandy. Quick, in and out before you start feeling depressed. Everyone's a winner.

Walkden Town Centre (formerly known as The Ellesmere Centre, but many places still use the outdated…read morename, probably down to habits) is the main shopping centre serving Walkden town centre, while it isn't the largest of shopping centres, it does have the largest Tesco Extra store in the UK, this does take up the big bulk of the shopping centre, at least the indoor part anyway. I think the name change was to add the outdoor part of the shopping centre too. There is a lot of car parking, the indoor area is unusual in the sense that instead of escalators, they use travellators, I much prefer these as they are more accessible for all, and look better too. Public transport links to the centre are OK, I do find it annoying that the 36 and 37 buses which are both on the Manchester to Bolton route, which calls here, actually call at different stands at different ends of the shopping centre, I do think having a small bus station would be easier, as it means having to go to one specific bus stop, rather than being able to wait at the same stop for multiple services. Stores located here include Marks and Spencer, Aldi, Poundland, Pets at Home and Boots, there is also a small number of banks and a Post Office. Food retailers located here include Subway, Nando's and Domino's. 3* - Not too bad, it is nice for a small town like Walkden, the lower floor on the inside part of the mall does seem to be pretty empty as many retailers have moved to the outside retail park area or the main road.

The Ellesmere Centre is starting to improve. The whole place has been refurbished and new parts…read morehave been built to attract that lacking custom and shopping vibe in Walkden. Tesco was completely rebuilt and revamped - though it does feel very clinical and a bit like the Hive out of resident evil at night... It's already attracted new custom - Costa Coffee - which is great! They seem to be doing fairly well too. There are always people inside and hopefully this will inspire more custom from other businesses too. The banks have moved and now have very shiny new spaces; HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, Santander. The market hall is also revamped with a bigger and better area. There's a good selection of stalls from handbags, to a card shop, to a clothes shop, to a fancy dress shop, to a Polish food stall, to a pet items stall AND best of all.... the old school sweet shop! However, it does cost 10p or 20p to go to the toilet but they are well looked after! A list of other shops/facilities around the centre; JD Opticians Electricians Shoe maker St.Anns Hospice Greggs Computer shop Quality Save Nails Hairdressers Carpet shop Boots Phone shop Key Cutters Subway Tanning shop Dominoes Betting Shop Scents/Candles School clothes Aldi - opening this week! With hopefully more to come!