A blueprint for the future of Middleton, and not a £6 oak milk latte in sight

Middleton is changing, but the signs of its regeneration won't be reduced to a '£6 oat milk latte', according to Bev Craig. At the Rochdale town's arena last night (September 7), a different vision was laid out. Greater Manchester's new mayor spoke of how Middletonians had felt forgotten for too long – and promised her backing for regeneration, with local opinions at its heart. She took to the stage alongside actor and comedian Steve Coogan, CEO of Co-operatives UK Rose Marley and Rochdale council leader Neil Emmott to push forward the Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC). This aims to bring Metrolink trams to Middleton; create new homes on brownfield plots; build high-quality business premises; and better public areas, roads and pathways. 'It's what people actually want to see,' Ms Craig told Middleton Arena. 'It's about doing things in a collective way. A £6 oat milk latte isn't the sign of regeneration.' While milk chat probably wasn't what any of around 200 locals in attendance at the public event were expecting, it stood as a metaphor for what bosses are trying to do for the town. A message of putting local needs first was the clear direction put forward. Bev Craig said: 'Tonight is about showing how things can be done differently. It isn't about development being done to people, it's about people saying what they want the future of their town to be. 'This event is about listening, but showing we can back that up with action. Then get on and deliver for what the people of Middleton want to see. 'People are proud to be from Middleton. But when you look at the town centre, the banks have disappeared, the high street shops are closing down and they are wondering what their future is. 'In places like Middleton, the next 10 years can be a good 10 years. We are not accepting decline. 'Rochdale council has picked Middleton as the area they want their MDC for. My job as mayor is to spearhead that charge. 'People from Middleton are proud to be from Middleton. We wouldn't have got someone like Steve Coogan if he didn't believe in the place. That is what is really special about this. 'People care about here. Yes we've got star quality in Steve, but he's here because he cares about Middleton. We all just want to see the best for a town that for too long, has felt like it's been left behind.' The future of the Mayoral Development Corporation was put forward in glitzy style, opening with a dance showcase from Tracing Steps. Co-chairs Rose Marley and Alan Partridge creator Steve Coogan, who grew up in Alkrington, shared the findings of its 'Our Town, Our Future' project, which saw engagement with more than 2,000 residents. Locals, want less antisocial behaviour on the streets, shops coming back to their high street and visible investment in the town. Around a third of respondents said they would like to see Warwick Mill brought back into use. And that is was something the packed out auditorium got. Before all the glamour, in a small room to the side of the auditorium, Bev Craig, Neil Emmott and Middleton Mayoral Development co-chair Rose Marley gathered for the major announcement of the night. They were soon joined by Coogan, who rushed in with a jug of milk and plonked it on the hot drinks table at the side. They then delivered the news that Rochdale council was purchasing Warwick Mill – a clear statement of the authority's intention for regeneration. The Grade-II listed building, built in 1907, has become an eyesore after sitting empty for a decade. With the mill deteriorating further, town hall bosses have made the decision to buy the land in order to push through redevelopment. Rochdale council leader Neil Emmott believes the neighbouring London House could be demolished by Christmas and urgent maintenance and repair works on Warwick Mill itself could begin within months. The idea of an MDC for Middleton was put forward by his authority to help build on regeneration which has already taken place in the area. This work includes the opening of the Middleton Arena and redevelopment of Middleton Gardens. While it has also seen the restoration of a number of historic buildings across the town centre, previous ambitions for a town-wide revamp have been scuppered by red tape. This is something it is hoped MDC powers will prevent happening again. Should the model prove successful, there is hope it will be used for other Greater Manchester towns and those across the UK. Coun Emmott said: 'I spoke to our officers and said, 'look, I'm getting frustrated by this, the people of Middleton are getting frustrated. Let's take the bull by the horns and let's engage Capital & Centric to negotiate for us so that we can look to be to purchase Warwick Mill'. 'And that's what we're doing. Capital & Centric are also going to be conducting feasibility studies on what we can possibly do. 'We've got the MDC and one of the things we want to do is to breathe new life into the town centre. In order to do that, we need to attract people to come and live here. Warwick Mill will be an important step in that. 'We want to build a case for Metrolink to come to Middleton as well. And we need to prove to TfGM and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority that there will be enough usage and that enough people will be living here to actually use Metrolink.' Coun Emmott went on to say that a residential development at Warwick Mill could help take pressure off building in some of the greener areas of the borough as well. But he believes transport will be a major factor in that. He pointed out it's quicker to get to Manchester city centre from Littleborough than Middleton, which is around 10 miles closer, because of the fast train going through. Coogan added: 'It goes beyond local loyalty. It's an opportunity to affect the political conversation on how we can change things. 'It's about giving the people of Middleton a voice. It will be worth their while to get involved and do this.'