A once-in-a-generation opportunity for Bury
Atom Valley and Northern Gateway represent one of the most ambitious regeneration and growth programmes in the UK, placing Bury at the heart of a nationally significant economic transformation.
This exciting and significant regeneration project will reshape the borough’s economy, attract global investment and create thousands of high-quality jobs, ensuring Bury plays a leading role in the industries of the future.
What is Atom Valley?
Atom Valley is Greater Manchester’s flagship innovation and advanced manufacturing growth zone, spanning Bury, Rochdale and Oldham. It brings together research, skills, infrastructure and employment opportunities at a scale not seen before in the region.
At its core, Atom Valley is about creating a globally competitive environment where businesses can innovate, scale and succeed—linking cutting-edge research with real-world production and commercial growth.
While it is a Greater Manchester initiative, its success is rooted in key locations—with Bury playing a critical role in delivering that vision.
Atom Valley is made up of three zones:
Northern Gateway – The largest and most significant site within Atom Valley, focusing on employment land, logistics and advanced manufacturing. This is where Bury plays a central role, with a substantial proportion of the site located within the borough, alongside neighbouring Rochdale.
Stakehill – An established and growing employment area within Atom Valley, Stakehill builds on strong existing industrial and logistics activity.
Kingsway - A key strategic employment corridor within Atom Valley, Kingsway focuses on high-quality commercial and industrial space alongside innovation-led activity.
Northern Gateway – Bury’s strategic opportunity
Northern Gateway is the most significant employment site within Atom Valley and a key driver of Bury’s future growth. Its scale, location and ambition make it a regionally and nationally important destination for investment.
Located at a highly accessible point between the M60, M62 and M66, the site is ideally positioned to attract major employers while remaining closely connected to Bury’s communities.
The development will deliver a modern, high-quality employment hub, designed to support a wide range of businesses, from growing local companies to major international investors. Alongside employment space, plans include supporting infrastructure and high-quality environments that make it a place where people want to work and invest.
For Bury, Northern Gateway represents more than land for development—it is a catalyst for:
-
Long-term economic growth
-
Increased inward investment
-
New business formation and expansion
-
A stronger regional and national profile
Why it matters for Bury
Bury is not just part of Atom Valley—it is central to it. The Northern Gateway, the largest development site within the programme, sits partly within the borough, placing Bury at the forefront of one of the UK’s most significant employment developments.
This brings a step-change in opportunity for the borough. It will mean:
-
Thousands of new, high-quality jobs accessible to Bury residents
-
New opportunities for local businesses to grow through supply chains and partnerships
-
A stronger, more diverse local economy with increased investment and resilience
Just as importantly, it strengthens the connection between local people, skills and future industries. By linking education providers, training opportunities and employers, Bury is creating a clearer pathway from education into high-value careers.
This is why Atom Valley is widely seen as a transformational, once-in-a-generation opportunity—one that will have a lasting impact on Bury’s economy and communities.
Driving investment into Bury
Atom Valley is already positioning Bury as a prime location for investment, backed by strong regional partnerships and long-term strategic planning.
With dedicated support structures in place to accelerate delivery, Bury is able to offer investors:
-
Access to large-scale, high-quality development opportunities
-
Strong transport connectivity across Greater Manchester and beyond
-
A growing talent pipeline supported by local skills programmes
-
A proactive local authority committed to business growth
This coordinated approach ensures that investment into Atom Valley translates directly into real benefits for Bury’s economy and communities.
A new chapter for Bury
This is about more than development, it’s about legacy.
Atom Valley and Northern Gateway will:
-
Transform how people live, work and invest in Bury
-
Create a modern, future-focused business base
-
Strengthen Bury’s role within the Greater Manchester economy
For more information on ATOM Valley and Northern Gateway please visit:
Atom Valley - Making a better tomorrow
Got questions directly related to Bury and how you could be a part of Northern Gateway? Contact the Bury Business and Investment team using the contact form in the bottom right of the page, or on our Contact Us page.