Middleton Branch Chair Kirby took centre stage this week at a landmark Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) event, chaired by Rose Marley of Co-operatives UK and local legend Steve Coogan.
The room was buzzing with energy as Kirby joined an impressive line-up that included Mayor Andy Burnham, Rochdale Council leader Neil Emott, members of the Courteeners, and a host of local project leads and business owners.
The event marked the launch of a bold, bottom-up vision to regenerate Middleton. Building on the successful transformation of Stockport, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has set out a new MDC strategy—placing Rose Marley and Steve Coogan at the helm to guide the next chapter of the town’s development.
Our partners at Middleton Co-operating are leading the charge with a “conversation, not consultation” approach—ensuring that real voices, real residents, and real community priorities shape the future of the town. Throughout the event, Kirby and Middleton Co-operating members highlighted a powerful idea: placing the town centre’s buildings and local housing stock into community ownership. A practical, long-term solution to ensure regeneration benefits local people—not just big developers.
If you’re a Middleton resident and want to help shape the future of your town, get involved at: Middleton, Our Town, Our Future | Middleton Co-operating.
