Middleton's historic Warwick Mill is to be bought by the council, which also plans to demolish the neighbouring London House building before Christmas. The Grade-II listed building, built in 1907, has sat empty for a decade and is deteriorating, prompting town hall bosses to purchase the land to push through redevelopment.
Part of wider regeneration plans
The site is expected to be transformed into housing, complementing the impending regeneration of the town. Middleton is set to become the centre of a huge redevelopment project driven by the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC). Responses from a recent consultation that will shape the MDC's vision for the area's future galvanised the council's decision on the historic site.
The Warwick Mill announcement was made at an event at Middleton Arena to bring the community together and update them on the 'our town, our future' engagement exercise and the formation of the MDC. The site purchase includes the London House building next door to Warwick Mill, which Rochdale council leader Neil Emmott said would be demolished before Christmas.
Funding for repairs
The town hall boss also announced £750,000 of the government's Pride in Place funding will go towards the maintenance and repair of the mill itself, which is rapidly deteriorating.
Coun Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Warwick Mill is an important landmark in Middleton and serves as a striking visual reminder of the area's rich history as a major player in the global cotton trade. It also represents a huge regeneration opportunity and a chance to really revitalise this key part of the town centre.
“Middleton's MDC will be based on cooperative values, with the community, businesses, voluntary sector, council and GMCA all working together to bring about positive changes. The desire to bring Warwick Mill back into use came through very clearly in the engagement exercise and we've responded to this.
“We're keen to honour Middleton's proud heritage as we continue to forge a new and exciting future for this special place.”
Community consultation
The event in Middleton Arena, which was attended by Steve Coogan, Rose Marley and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig, gave residents an insight into what people had said they wanted to see in Middleton, and what the next steps will be.
Rose Marley, co-chair of Middleton Co-operative Mayoral Development Corporation, said: “More than 2,000 people gave their time to Our Town, Our Future – the biggest conversation Middleton has ever had about its own future. What came back was clear: people want to see regeneration done with Middleton, not to Middleton.
“That's what this event was about. Middleton people, Middleton businesses, Rochdale Borough Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, all pulling in the same direction. Co-operation at every level, from local government to the family who filled in a survey on their phone.
“The Middleton Co-operative Mayoral Development Corporation will help to carry that mandate forward: into the town's housing, transport, green spaces and public buildings – Warwick Mill among them – and into every decision still to be made. This is co-operation in its truest sense, and it's how Middleton's future should be built.”
A feasibility study to determine future uses for the building is ongoing and the community will be consulted on final plans for the building.
