Middleton revival plan aims to reverse post-industrial decline

Key facts

• Warwick Mill, a Grade II-listed former cotton mill, is central to plans for Middleton's revival.
• The initiative aims to redevelop derelict buildings and create 1,500 new homes.
• Residents and business owners will have a say in the agenda through a survey.
• Plans include using renewable energy and establishing a banking hub.
• The project seeks to reverse post-industrial neglect and empower communities.

Middleton, a town near Manchester historically in Lancashire but with a Manchester postcode, is facing an existential crisis marked by declining retail offerings, loss of banks, and a lack of essential services. The town center has seen the closure of banks, post offices, and a shift towards bookmakers, vape stores, and fast-food outlets, with a large Tesco and online shopping compounding the issue. Residents express a sense of decline, with limited access to cash machines and no tram service.

However, a community-led fightback is underway, spearheaded by a mayoral development corporation launched by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. This initiative aims to empower local leaders with the ability to set lower business rates, acquire underused land, and build new homes. Actor Steve Coogan and Rose Marley, chief executive of Co-operatives UK, are leading efforts through Middleton Co-operating, which seeks to "rewire the whole of the economy locally" by bringing infrastructure and essential services under public control. Residents' input is being gathered through a survey to shape the agenda, with the redevelopment of derelict sites like Warwick Mill identified as an immediate priority.

Plans include utilizing renewable energy, potentially reintroducing banking services through a hub, and expanding into areas like food production and social care. Despite challenges, including the colossal cost of renovating Warwick Mill, the project aims to serve as a blueprint for other struggling towns across Britain, addressing post-industrial neglect and empowering communities rather than relying on top-down philanthropy.