A Metrolink connection and new cinema could be heading to Middleton as part of regeneration plans for the Greater Manchester town. Following a recent cabinet meeting, Rochdale Council hopes to collaborate with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and city region mayor Andy Burnham to help rejuvenate Middleton.
Council bosses had previously designed a masterplan for Middleton back in 2022, which aimed to create thousands of new homes and a new Metrolink tram line off the Bury line. A regeneration of Middleton’s high streets was also included in the 2022 vision to help address “building vacancy and a scruffy appearance in areas”, however Rochdale Council has struggled to unlock the land to deliver it.
Under the Middleton regeneration plans, the town could get a brand new cinema complex along with an extended Metrolink line as part of the Bee Network expansion covering this area. Rochdale Council hopes its partnership with the mayor, setting up a regeneration body known as a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), will give it the backing the plans need in order to become a reality for the town.Middleton is positioned in one of Greater Manchester’s designated Growth Locations and the council believe the area would benefit from planned strategic growth in the region, including Atom Valley and the Northern Gateway strategic employment site. The Atom Valley scheme mentions that it is expected to generate more than 20,000 jobs and bring a £1bn economic boost to Rochdale and Bury.
The next steps will see an MDC report delivered to GMCA in May 2025 and £600,000 spent to kickstart the plan.