THERE’S a new man at the forefront of Bury’s £350 million flagship Rock Triangle development.

David Laycock has been appointed by Thornfield Properties as centre director for its 1.6 million sq ft shopping, leisure and living complex.

He takes up the role with only nine months to go before the scheme opens in July next year.

Mr Laycock will be involved in all aspects of integrating the scheme into the community. It already boasts two new department stores — Debenhams and Marks & Spencer — a further 60 new shop units, including Primark, River Island and Next, and restaurants including Pizza Express.

It will also feature a 10-screen Vue Cinema and 24-lane AMF Bowling and Entertainment centre.

Andrew Sanderson, Thornfield director, said: “We believe David has the proven experience to be able to take The Rock through the final development stages to launch and has all the skills needed to embrace the challenge of developing and leading a team to make The Rock the most exciting scheme in the UK and the core of the Bury community.”

Mr Laycock, who has 24 years of experience in the retail sector, said: “I relish the opportunity of launching The Rock to make Bury the premier retail town in the north of Greater Manchester and to broaden the town’s appeal by sympathetically integrating the new with the established gems, such as Bury Market.

“I aim to establish The Rock as the core entertainment, retail and residential heart of the region and bring the community closer together through focused events and retaining local shoppers while attracting new visitors to the town.”

A new garden square is being created and the main retail street, The Rock, has been designed to link to the existing Market Place and provide a natural thoroughfare to the market.

A 1,250 space car park is also being provided.