Coogan backs 'great things' to come from mill revival

Comedian Steve Coogan says a deal to acquire an historic cotton mill could "lead on to great things" as he helped lead regeneration plans in his hometown of Middleton, in Greater Manchester.

Rochdale Borough Council said it had struck a deal to acquire Grade II-listed Warwick Mill, vacant for at least a decade, after a consultation of more than 2,000 people.

The Bafta-winning actor co-chairs the shadow board setting up Middleton's proposed mayoral development corporation (MDC), which would have powers to buy land and drive development.

At Middleton Arena, Coogan said residents should be involved "from the ground up", with regeneration done "with people, not to them".

Coogan said Middleton wanted to build on the regeneration model used in Stockport, but "do things a bit differently here".

He said consultation should involve people "from the ground up so that people feel involved".

"We're doing things with people, not to them," he said.

Warwick Mill was built in 1907, stopped operating as a cotton mill in 1965 and has been vacant for at least 10 years.

Coogan described the building as an "eyesore", but said bringing it back into use could demonstrate that regeneration was happening.

"If you can turn that around, then it's a sign and a signifier to people that things are actually moving," he said.

"I think it's going to lead on to great things."

About a third of people who responded to the Our Town, Our Future consultation said they wanted Warwick Mill brought back into use.

A study into possible future uses is continuing and residents would be consulted on final plans, the council said.

It said residents would see changes within the next few months, with investment in urgent repairs, improved security and work to tidy the area around the mill.

The council also hoped to acquire neighbouring London House.

Co-chair Rose Marley said council leader Neil Emmott had told the event he wanted the office building demolished before Christmas.

Asked why he had become involved, Coogan said: "The only skin I've got in the game is my reputation."

He said he would regard the project as a success if, in five or 10 years, people in Middleton felt "empowered" and believed they had participated in turning the town around.

Marley, chief executive of Co-operatives UK, said shorter-term changes could include work on banking and Post Office services, safer streets and better lighting.

The MDC has previously been described as aiming to deliver about 1,500 homes, while proposals have also included restoring Middleton Arena, regenerating the town gardens and bringing Metrolink to the town.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig said MDCs were intended to help bring investment into towns, after investment had become easier to attract into Manchester city centre.

In August, Craig announced a £20m Good Growth High Streets Fund in Middleton, aimed at supporting projects to improve high streets across Greater Manchester.

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