A look at what's new in Cornhill Walk

Something has changed in Cornhill Walk. A different dynamic has been introduced into Bury's compact shopping centre which nestles behind Moyse's and McDonald's: Fopp has arrived.

Fopp is the country's largest - and still growing - independent music retailer. It's aimed at "the heavy music user" and the motto is keeping things simple, which includes the pricing. Since the closure of Andy's Records, we have missed having an independent music store in town and Fopp will be very welcome. Some Fopp stores have now added coffee shops and live music from breaking bands. There are plans for the new Cornhill Walk store to follow suite. Bury St Edmunds, they will find, is not short of talented bands.

Fopp has chosen the Cornhill Walk unit because of its size. There's plenty of room for the business to expand into as it grows, Greg the manager explains. He takes me to have a look at the upstairs space which once housed Index's stock. It is huge, and will be ideal for the planned coffee shop and live music. No start date decided for that project yet, but in the meantime, we still get to enjoy Fopp's eclectic selection of films, contemporary books, and of course, music.

Fopp: the shop front

Already spacious and still growing...

The advent of Fopp will undoubtedly draw new customers into Cornhill Walk. The centre is not normally part of my own stomping ground in fact, but now is a good time to look again at what is actually a light and bright shopping area with a lot to offer.

Qube footwear is also a relative newcomer, and like Fopp has its origins in Glasgow. Qube doesn't target a specific professional or age group with its range of funky footwear, but just those "who are not square." Prices are affordable and popular brands are stocked.

Qube: if you're square, don't bother

Buy the Light is an excellent shop to visit for gifts and scrumptious candles from the Yankee Candle Company. The ones with fragrances like chocolate or berry crumble are very tempting, but I'm most taken with what look like mouthwatering pots of fruit preserves. Definitely candles, the assistant assures me, and very pretty ones too - when they burn, she says, the fruits remain and the light shines through them.

Cornhill Walk collage

Left: inside Cornhill Walk. Right: (top to bottom) glam shoes in Qube; Yankee candles in Buy the Light; Taschen art books in Fopp.

The ladies' fashion stores in Cornhill Walk serve a varied consumer market. While Select concentrates on sizes 8-18 in the latest trends and fun fashion, Evans specialises in sizes 16-32 and provides advice on putting together a flattering, colour coordinated wardrobe. New Look, with its fun, "cheaper is chic" approach to fashion, is complemented by Principles, providing stylish and quality clothing for the professional 30-something woman.

Cornhill Walk also has a recent Vodafone store, and of course the popular, JJB Sports with its clothing and equipment for sports and fitness. Last but definitely not least is the jewellery and accessories stall in the middle of the Walk, where there is many a sparkling little bargain to be grabbed.

Happy shopping and enjoy.

Jewellery and accessories stall - grab a bargain!