How Middleton’s revival could be grist to the mill for Britain’s struggling towns

Middleton, a town near Manchester, is undergoing a significant transformation led by Andy Burnham, the former mayor, and actor Steve Coogan. This initiative aims to provide a blueprint for revitalizing other neglected areas in Britain. The plan comes as a response to the decline of local economies, particularly in towns like Middleton, which has seen a drastic reduction in shops and services over the years.

Once a thriving community, Middleton has faced an existential crisis. Dorothy Kersh, an 83-year-old resident, lamented the loss of character in the town, stating, "In the 70s we had a cinema, we had banks. It’s lost character and we’ve hardly got any shops."

The town, with a population of about 50,000, has lost all its banks and many local businesses. The opening of a large Tesco in 2013 has further compounded the decline, leading to a shopping precinct filled with bookmakers, vape stores, and fast-food outlets.