People want Warwick Mill brought back to life as a landmark for Middleton’s bright future.

Warwick Mill is not just another building. For many people, it represents Middleton’s heritage, decline, frustration and potential all at once.

People see it every day. They want it to stop being a symbol of neglect and become something useful, beautiful and ambitious.

People talked about heritage, suggested housing, independent businesses, food and drink, creative space, community use, leisure, jobs and mixed-use development.

Warwick Mill should be a flagship regeneration opportunity that benefits Middleton, not just a private development that happens to be in Middleton.

822 people gave their ideas on Warwick Mill

“Warwick Mill is a fantastic building and could be the heart of the town centre; it’s beautiful, a reminder of our industrial history, and perfectly placed as a gateway into the town from the south/east of the town centre. But currently it’s dangerous, unsightly and neglected. I’d love to see it as offices/shops/cafes/flats/community spaces.”

People want Middleton’s empty buildings and neglected spaces working again.

Warwick Mill is the biggest landmark, but it is not the only place people want brought back into use.

They care about Market Place, Assheton Arms, the Old Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Tonge Hall, Providence Church, Lodge Mill, former banks and pubs, empty shops, vacant land and neglected precincts on Langley and Boarshaw - they want to see them brought back to life.

1,170 gave their views on empty buildings

“Middleton is famous for derelict empty buildings. They could all be brought to use but they are privately owned and are allowed to deteriorate and remain empty even though they appear available to let.”

People want to back Middleton’s businesses and help new ones grow.

Middletonians do not want a town centre that could be anywhere. They want more independent shops, cafés, restaurants, markets, creative businesses and locally owned places that give the town character.

They want more businesses like Amigo’s Coffee Bar and the Britannia Inn, not more bookmakers and pawnshops.

People want to spend money locally, but they need more reasons to do it. They want better shopfronts, more footfall, more events, more promotion, better use of empty units and practical support for the businesses already trying to make Middleton better.

Local businesses are proud to be here. They care about the town. But they are under pressure from rising costs, high rents, low footfall, tired buildings and a lack of reasons for people to stay in the town centre.

75.4% of respondents would use more locally owned businesses

“Not another short-term reshuffle of the same type of shops, but a deliberate push to attract quality independent cafés, restaurants and small businesses that give people a reason to spend time (and money) locally.”

Middleton Shopping Centre is still one of the main reasons people come into the town centre, but people say it needs renewal. It is practical, but not somewhere people choose to spend time for long.

Middletonians want better shops, more variety, fewer empty units, more food and leisure, a stronger independent offer, cleaner surroundings and a shopping centre that feels more active and welcoming. They want affordable rents for local businesses.

65.4% selected lack of retail/shopping choice as a main town-centre issue

“Middleton needs a mix of businesses that bring people back into the town centre and encourage them to spend time there. As a smaller town, it cannot compete with larger shopping destinations, so it needs a distinctive and practical offer.”

Middleton Gardens is valued, but people want it to feel greener, safer, cleaner, more active and more welcoming.

They want it to be somewhere people sit, meet, attend events, bring children and enjoy culture. They want to feel proud of it.

It should not just be a space people pass through. It should be one of the places that helps Middleton feel alive.

People love it when events are held there, but some see it as a hotspot for antisocial behaviour in the evenings and at weekends. Local business owners argued that a stronger evening offer could keep the Gardens busier and help deter antisocial behaviour.

61.7% had used Middleton Gardens or the town-centre space in the previous year - 981 of 1,590

“To see Middleton Gardens reinstated as a green and safe place to meet and enjoy”

As with Middleton Gardens, people want places to meet, gather, belong and take part.

Middletonians talked about the need for spaces where children can play, teenagers can gather safely, older people can connect, families can spend time together without always needing to spend money.

People use our libraries, community centres, parks, creative spaces, warm spaces, youth spaces, meeting rooms and public spaces, and want them to feel open, welcoming and cared for.

976 people selected events and activity as a way to improve public spaces

“Public spaces tend to feel safer when they are well used, well maintained and well lit. Encouraging more activity in the town centre through shops, cafés, leisure venues and community events would naturally bring more people into public spaces throughout the day and evening.”

Middleton does not want to be ‘gentrified’. People want housing that meets local needs. They want affordable homes and social housing.

They are not against new housing. They want the right housing: warm, safe, affordable, accessible homes that work for families and people at different stages of life.

Issues with affordability, poor conditions and private renting were mentioned frequently. People want social housing, family homes, apartments for younger people, homes for older people and mixed-use town centre living.

There is a growing concern that regeneration could push existing residents out or create housing that does not match what local people actually need.

1,021 supported affordable family homes in the town centre

“More affordable housing. We private rent and struggle, 5 of us in a 2 bed house but cannot afford to move. If rent was lower we would be able to move to a bigger house. Maybe help to get on the property ladder for working families.”

People want Middleton to feel properly connected to the rest of Greater Manchester.

Middletonians want better public transport and to be able to walk across the town with ease.

In the survey, 79.8% supported Middleton being connected via the Metrolink. People also raised practical concerns about routes, congestion, disruption and whether the ‘tram’ would take people out of M24, rather than bring people into the town.

They want the details to be shaped with residents, not imposed on them.

Transport needs to be planned properly, with public transport, walking, cycling, parking, access and town centre movement all considered together.

1,204 people supported bringing the Metrolink to Middleton.

“I understand any tram to Manchester would follow the route the buses take and therefore get stuck in traffic too”

“A tram stop would make Middleton more attractive for people to come into town”

Our youngsters want to have places to go, things to do and be able to influence Middleton’s future.

Older Middletonians agree.

People talked about the need for youth clubs, sports and creative activities, safe spaces, affordable things to do, places for teenagers and support for family activities.

We need Middleton to be a town that helps young people feel valued rather than blamed for the town’s problems.

Schools helped extend the conversation during lesson time, with responses from St Anne’s, Edgar Wood, Cardinal Langley and Middleton Technology.

301 survey respondents were under 18

1,177 people supported better provision for children and young people in open text answers

“…no spaces for kids and teens… there is nowhere that we can belong.”

Survey respondent, aged 15

Arts and culture are a massive part of Middleton’s identity.

People spoke with pride about our musicians, heritage buildings and community-led arts.

People are frustrated that historic buildings have been left to fall into disrepair.

They want more chances for local people to create, perform, gather and take ownership.

Art House Middleton came through as a strong example of what happens when people are trusted to create things themselves. It made engagement feel more human, welcoming and accessible.

874 people talked about Middleton’s arts and culture in open text responses

“Supporting local musicians, bands, artists, rehearsal rooms… Build Middleton Band a proper band room, practice rooms that can be hired out to locals at realistic rates not inflated ones.”

“Keep and restore key heritage sites, not demolish them. Make them part of the new design so old and new blend together. Co-design with residents, community groups, and young people. Let people who live here shape how the town looks and feels.”

The Olde Boar’s Head, St Leonard’s Church, Edgar Wood’s buildings, the Old Grammar School, Tonge Hall and the Long Street area are sources of pride in the town.

People want these buildings maintained and used, conservation standards enforced and new development to respect Middleton’s character.

They want more heritage walks, open days and school projects, alongside a permanent place where Middleton’s history can be seen and shared.

Middleton’s heritage has to remain visible in everyday life and shape future regeneration.

65.7% selected buildings and architecture as a source of heritage pride

Middleton needs a better evening offer, but it needs to be safe, varied, independent and rooted in the town’s identity.

They want to protect the town’s pubs. They want restaurants, cafés, music, culture, food, events and safe evening spaces. They want to spend evenings out in Middleton instead of travelling elsewhere.

People want a town centre that feels alive after daytime shopping ends. A stronger evening economy - a busier town centre at night - could support local businesses, increase footfall, improve safety and make Middleton feel more confident.

68.5% said a better evening offer would bring them into town more often

“Whenever we want to go somewhere for food or drinks we tend to either go into Manchester or … Royton or Prestwich … Middleton town centre there’s not much going on at night time.”

People want Middleton’s green spaces protected, cleaned up and brought to life.

Middletonians value parks, woods, fields, walks, play areas and outdoor spaces. They are important for the town’s wellbeing, family life, children’s play, walking, sport, nature, safety and pride.

But people also said green spaces need better maintenance, safer access, more seating, better play equipment, youth facilities, lighting, planting and activity. Some people were worried that development could put valued green space at risk.

They love Alkrington Woods, Jubilee Park, Bowlee, Whit Brook, Wince Brook and Boarshaw Clough.

They want them cared for properly.

1,434 people mentioned green spaces in open-text responses

“Parks, green spaces, get rid of the graffiti, fly tipping off market street and do up our old buildings instead of pouring concrete into our green spaces.”

People want visible improvements that make the town feel cared for, safer and more welcoming.

Cleanliness and safety were among the most consistent concerns raised throughout the conversation.

Residents linked visible neglect directly to declining confidence and pride in the town.

They want practical improvements that make their environments feel safer, cleaner and better cared for.

People want the basics done well: regular cleaning, repairs, better lighting, visible action on fly-tipping and dumped rubbish, and safer routes through the town and its neighbourhoods.

75.5% selected safer, cleaner local areas as something that would make the biggest difference

“To feel safe walking round our local areas... Less litter and dumped rubbish everywhere. Getting the basics right. Clean maintained.”

People want more family-friendly facilities, activities and public spaces that encourage families to spend time together locally.

People described wanting Middleton to be a place where families choose to spend time together.

Residents feel the town currently lacks enough family-focused activity and destinations.

1,506 responses supported a more family-friendly Middleton

“More support for SEND children and their families. More safe areas for Send children to play and parents can sit knowing their child is safe”

“Our community is struggling hugely. There has to be more youth provisions put into place- there’s nowhere for young people to go, there are no play centres for children to attend or for parents to go to make friends. Parents are lonely, they can’t mingle with other like minded parents because there’s nowhere for them to take their babies or children. The elderly have nowhere to go but coffee shops!”

Middleton is one town with many localities, estates and neighbourhoods.

Survey responses came from across M24: from Alkrington, Langley and Boarshaw to Hollin, Rhodes, Junction, Moorclose and the town’s smaller localities.

Langley is one example. Residents value their neighbours, community spirit and green spaces, including Bowlee and Truffet Park. They also described fly-tipping, parking, safety, limited youth provision, pressure on services and the condition of Lakeland Court and other local shopping areas. Some feel the estate has been overlooked.

The recurring subjects across localities were transport, parks, youth provision, cleanliness, local shops, housing, safety and access to everyday services. Town-centre investment matters.

People want town-centre investment to connect to visible improvements where they live.

887 people talked about their local area

“Some areas of Langley feel safe and like a community. Others feel like they’re stuck in the 2000’s. There is a huge inequality on the estate and Langley feels frayed because of it.”

Langley resident