The regeneration of Middleton has taken a major step forward, with the announcement of a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC).
The MDC is to be helmed by famous actor and comedian, Steve Coogan, who hails from the town, and Rose Marley, chief executive of Co-operatives UK.
Mayoral Development Corporations use Greater Manchester mayoral powers to help boost the development of an area and attract additional investment to drive regeneration.
Steve Coogan, who grew up in Alkrington and has since achieved global success as an actor, comedian, screen writer and producer, said:
“Middleton is a town I want to help because it’s helped me. It was a great place to grow up and it did a lot for me. Middleton is really rich in history, the history of people power, and it has a great civil rights history, with social reformers like Sam Bamford coming from this area. It’s a place which has a strong sense of its own identity. I've done lots of live shows around the country and you get the best reaction from towns that know who they are, and Middleton people have got a sense of themselves.
“The Mayoral Development Corporation is a very exciting opportunity for me to put back into a community that was very good to me and helped me in my early years. I feel I owe the people of Middleton a debt. That's why I'm happy to be involved and talk to people in Middleton and ask them what they want and what they need.”
Rose Marley, who grew up in North Manchester, said:
“Middleton has a great cultural and musical heritage and Middleton people stand up for what they believe in. There is a real character and sense of community here.
“The Mayoral Development Corporation is a model that's been utilised in other areas to bring investment to an area. And once you start bringing in investment, whether that's public or private, community-based investments, then you can have a vision and you can have a plan and everybody can galvanize around that, whether it's transport, housing, or cultural spaces. We’re keen to consult and work with the people of Middleton to make sure that it's being delivered in line with their needs and desires. As Rochdale is the birthplace of the co-operative movement, we’re keen to run the Middleton MDC along co-operative values, to ensure that everyone has a voice and the wealth is distributed as closely as possible to where it is generated.”
The idea of an MDC for Middleton was put forward by Rochdale Borough Council to help build on the regeneration which has already taken place in the area, including the opening of the Middleton Arena, the redevelopment of Middleton Gardens and the restoration of a number of historic buildings across the town centre.
The Middleton MDC chairs designate were announced as part of the launch of the Greater Manchester Strategy 2025-2035, a blueprint for how the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and the Greater Manchester councils will work together to create a greener, fairer future for the region’s 2.9 million residents, as we continue to harness the benefits of devolution.
At the heart of council plans are proposals, which councillors have long lobbied for, to bring the Metrolink to Middleton, coupled with the desire to create high quality new homes on brownfield plots, the creation of high-quality business premises and better public areas, roads and pathways.
Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Steve Coogan and Rose Marley to lead the Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation.
“Although he enjoys national and international fame and success, Middleton-born Steve retains a deep connection to the area and I’m thrilled that he is using his voice and profile to help to turbo charge its regeneration. I’m also delighted that Rose Marley is lending her extensive expertise to this vital project.
“As a councillor in Middleton for many years, and someone who, like Steve, attended Cardinal Langley School, I’m incredibly passionate about the area and know that with the right support in place, we can achieve great things for the benefit of its residents.
“We’ve already done a lot to regenerate Middleton in recent years, but we need to take it much further and an MDC gives us that extra power to do even more, even faster.
“We’re still early on in this process, and we will be speaking to residents and businesses across Middleton in the coming months to find out what they want from an MDC and how they want it to work.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
“Steve is a real champion of community-led change and the power of local people to make a difference – so it’s fantastic to have him leading a new Mayoral Development Corporation right here in his home town.
“This next decade in Greater Manchester will be all about ensuring every person and every place benefits from our economic growth story. I know Steve and Rose will be fully committed to that mission, and we’re all excited to work with them to deliver for residents in Middleton.”