Mill Gate Shopping Centre welcomes new stores as it enters next phase of transformation

Friday, 29 August 2025 10:49

By David Murphy

Bury's central shopping centre sees major growth with new brands, bigger shops and first-ever electric car showroom.

Bury’s Mill Gate Shopping Centre is undergoing a significant transformation, with a wave of new store openings, relocations and expansions reinforcing its position at the heart of the town’s retail scene.

The growth is being driven by a partnership between property company Bruntwood and Bury Council, with a shared goal to improve the shopping experience, increase variety and support the wider regeneration of the town centre.

Over the past year, the centre has welcomed a string of developments. Music and entertainment retailer HMV has relocated to a much larger unit, expanding its floor space by over 4,200 square feet to a total of 10,358 square feet. The bigger site allows the store to offer a broader range of music, film, tech and pop culture products.

HMV’s former location in the Haymarket has since been taken over by You Know Who’s, a popular independent discount retailer specialising in ex-high street clothing, shoes, accessories and homeware. The shop relocated from Minden Parade and is already proving a hit with shoppers.

Elsewhere in the centre, national bookseller Waterstones is preparing to open a larger store this September. Now occupying the former WHSmith unit, the new shop adds nearly 2,000 square feet of space, offering a wider range of titles and a more welcoming space for readers and families.

Mill Gate has also made history with its first-ever electric vehicle showroom. Global car manufacturer BYD launched the store eight months ago and has reported strong customer interest since opening. The showroom features the latest in EV technology, adding a modern dimension to the centre’s offering.

Other retailers making moves within the complex include CEX, the second-hand tech and entertainment store, which has relocated to a more prominent unit next to New Look. Independent fashion brand Pure Ladies Boutique has also opened its doors opposite H.Samuel, further strengthening the centre’s clothing and accessories offer.

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