Location

Merchants Gate is located off Rose Hill Street in an established residential area in Heywood, approximately 3 miles to the south of Rochdale town centre.

Sports and Leisure

Heywood has many tourist attractions, sports and social clubs, plus a full programme of events at Heywood Civic Centre, ranging from musical theatre to yoga classes and amateur dramatics. The town is even lucky enough to have its own brewery – perfect for the connoisseur of real ale. As well as a large selection of bars, there is also an abundance of traditional rural pubs. Heywood is surrounded by spectacular open countryside featuring many interesting walks from a gentle ramble, to a difficult hike. Bordered by both Bury and Rochdale, Heywood offers some of the north west’s most beautiful countryside and undiscovered gems.

Shopping

Local shops and services are plentiful. Heywood town centre offers a wide range of amenities, including retail outlets and transport links. Market Street, which is conveniently located just half a mile from the development, offering a variety of fashionable high street shops and a bustling market. Heywood’s Market has more than 35 bustling stalls where you can find a variety of local produce, from fresh fruit and vegetables to meat and freshly cooked bread.

These, together with a Morrisons supermarket, a Boots and The Times Shopping Centre, provide a good level of facilities for the size of the town. Alternatively, there is Mill Gate Shopping Centre where the distinctive conservatory-style malls are not only home to the best shops and restaurants in the northwest, but also some of your favourite brands.

For a wider variety of retail and leisure facilities, try the nearby World Famous Bury Market, which offers first-class shopping and inexpensive parking. Bury Market has been voted a ‘Top Ten UK food market’.

Regeneration

Heywood is currently undergoing major regeneration as part of the Government’s New Deal for Communities via the ‘New Heart for Heywood scheme’ which is investing over £52 million. Planned developments include a new Health Connections Centre, a new family Sure Start Centre, a new primary school and a multi million-pound sports and leisure village. Queens Park has already benefited from an extensive facelift that has seen many of its architectural features restored to their former Victorian glory.

Transport

Heywood’s excellent transport routes, including the newly refurbished East Lancashire Railway, makes it easy to travel to the nearby towns of Bury and Rochdale. The M62, m66 and M60 motorways are also only a short distance away from Heywood, ideal for the commuter.

The nearest rail station is Castleton, which is approximately two miles away and offers a direct service into Manchester. There are also extensive plans to connect Rochdale with the Manchester Metrolink tram system.

*Distances are based on the shortest route from Rose Hill Street, and calculated using www.theaa.com.