Middleton’s regeneration took a major step forward tonight, Wednesday 19 November, with the launch of the Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation, known as MMDC, a new public body that promises to transform the town through investment, housing and community-led development.
Held in The Edgar Wood School rooms, the launch was described as “a conversation not a consultation” being a clear signal that local voices will help shape the town’s future.
The MMDC will be jointly chaired by actor Steve Coogan and Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK. It aims to unlock stalled development sites, support commercial growth and improve access to decent housing, while keeping the needs of local people at its core.
There was a strong show of optimism in the room, with many local residents and leaders backing the new approach.
Steve Coogan spoke “very well actually with proper conviction”, according to a member of the public we spoke to after. Rose Marley, introduced as the head of Co-operatives UK, set out the vision for a more inclusive development model.
Liam Fray spoke about “the need for creative hubs in the area to bring young people's ambitions alive”.
Mark Fraser, head of Middleton Cooperating, addressed the economic challenges facing the town, noting that four major local firms are no longer locally owned: “Middleton Arndale owned by a company in the British Virgin Islands. Warwick owned by Chinese. McBrides owned by Luxembourg. Vitafoam owned by US.” He described this as an “extractive economy”.
Local business owners raised concerns about high rents, and the local Tenants Union spoke of “the need for real decent housing in the town”.
At one point, Steve Coogan asked Andy Burnham what he thought about “bottom-up and top-down politics”. Burnham gave what was described as a “non reply” and instead moved on to comment "Greater Manchester becomes more functional as Westminster becomes more dysfunctional" without addressing the question directly.
Andy Burnham, who arrived late, mentioned Stockport MDC result “about 900 times” according to one observer. Council leader Neil Emmott also spoke and gave platitudes echoing the other speakers' views for the town.
Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell had travelled from Westminster with special dispensation to attend, but had to leave before she was able to speak due to delays with Burnham's late arrival.
A student from Hopwood Hall College revealed the new logo for the MMDC, which they had designed as part of a local project. The student appeared on stage with the principal.
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