Steve Coogan says Middleton deserves more than gentrification as he backs new Mayoral Development

Thursday, 10 July 2025 12:42

By David Murphy

A major regeneration scheme is being launched in Middleton, and one of its biggest champions is none other than hometown actor and comedian Steve Coogan.

Speaking outside Rochdale Town Hall, Coogan confirmed he will co-chair the new Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) alongside Rose Marley, Chief Executive of Co-operatives UK. The MDC is being formed with support from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), with the goal of transforming Middleton while keeping local people at the heart of every decision.

Coogan, best known for his roles in Alan Partridge, The Trip, and more recently played Jimmy Savile in The Reckoning, grew up in Alkrington. He described the MDC as a chance to give something back to the town that shaped him.

“We don't just want gentrification in Middleton. We want something that empowers local people, brings investment, and improves lives,” he said. “This is about developing *with* the community, not imposing change *on* them.”

The Middleton MDC was announced as part of the new Greater Manchester Strategy 2025–2035. It aims to unlock investment, deliver high-quality housing, improve public spaces, and eventually extend the Metrolink to Middleton, a long-standing ambition for local leaders.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham welcomed Coogan and Marley into their new roles, saying, “Steve is a real champion of community-led change. He knows Middleton and the power of local people to shape their future.”

“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.”

Coogan echoed that sentiment, saying Middleton’s deep roots in working-class history and civil rights give it a strong identity.

“Middleton people have got a sense of themselves,” he said. “That’s why we can build something that’s inclusive and becomes a shining example of what happens when the commercial and social work hand in glove.”

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.”

The council is now preparing a full public consultation, with local businesses and residents invited to share what they want to see from the new body.