Long-serving shopping centre boss retires after nearly 16 years in Bury

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 10:04

By David Murphy

The Rock bids farewell to director Arnold Wilcox-Wood as leadership changes hands

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, the long-time Centre Director of The Rock Shopping Centre in Bury, has stepped down after nearly 16 years at the helm.

He leaves behind a lasting legacy in the retail sector, having helped to shape The Rock into one of Bury’s key shopping, leisure, and dining destinations.

With a career in shopping centre management spanning more than 47 years, Arnold worked at 25 centres across the UK and abroad, including in Slovakia and Turkey. He began his retail career at Middleton Arndale and is also remembered for managing Clayton Square in Liverpool.

Before entering the retail world, Arnold worked as both a police officer and a postmaster.

Reflecting on his time at The Rock, Arnold said: “I have had a wonderful career and have been lucky to have worked in many fantastic places alongside great teams over the years.

“It has been an incredible journey working with such a dedicated team and seeing The Rock thrive as a key part of the Bury community. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and wish everyone continued success.”

Laura Beal, who has been part of The Rock’s management team for almost a decade, will step up as the new Centre Manager.

She said: “I’m so excited to take on this new challenge. The Rock is a brilliant destination which I’m proud to be part of. I’m committed to building on Arnold’s legacy and continuing to deliver a fantastic experience for our visitors.”

Laura brings strong local knowledge and extensive experience to the role, having supported the centre through a number of events and campaigns during her time in the management team.

The team at The Rock has extended their thanks to Arnold for his years of leadership and welcomed Laura into her new position.

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