Middleton shop facades given facelift

Councillor June West, Kieren McDonnell, Steven Hurwitch

Shops in the Middleton town centre conservation area have been given a facelift.

The businesses around Middleton Gardens and Fountain Street, many of which are in 19th century buildings, have had a number of external improvements, including new gutters, rendering and repainting. 

Surrounding paving has also been replaced with heritage-style York stone.

Steven Hurwitch, owner of Adam’s Beds in Old Hall Street, said: “This project has transformed the shop and a lot of my customers have commented on how good it looks. It definitely makes the businesses more welcoming and has really given this part of Middleton a lift.”

The council project is one of a number of improvement schemes in the town. Historic buildings, particularly those designed by the Middleton-born architect Edgar Wood, have already been restored as part of the Heritage Lottery and council-funded Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

Parts of Rochdale Road and Market Place have had extensive repaving, restoration of the historic staircase in Jubilee Park started recently and improvement work at La Minhaz restaurant in Market place is also almost complete.

A property improvement grant has also helped new businesses set up in the town, including new cocktail bar, XOXO, which opened in December.

Councillor June West, Chairwoman of the Middleton Township, said: “This scheme has given this area a much-needed facelift and supported our fantastic independent retailers, many of whom have noticed the big difference the work has made. It’s also played a vital role, alongside our Townscape Heritage Initiative, in protecting Middleton’s fantastic heritage buildings.”