Eccles is a vibrant and growing district that has seen huge investment in recent years. The investment has given the town greater access and transport links and brought many new businesses into the area. By far the largest growth is probably in the leisure sector with an abundance of excellent restaurants, bars, shopping, entertainment and sports centres. No longer is Eccles fame found solely in it’s namesake the Eccles Cake!

The Eccles Cake has been one of Britain's best-loved teatime delicacies for more than 200 years. It is here in Eccles that the first Eccles Cakes were sold by James Birch at his bakery on Church Street, back in 1796. A blue plaque marks the location, which is now a furniture shop.