Our Town, Our Future: Middleton’s Colouring Book

Middleton’s Colouring Book is a temporary community hub for conversation, creativity, and civic imagination, created in response to the forthcoming Mayoral Development Corporation and the significant changes planned for Middleton town centre. The project sits alongside aa online survey led by Middleton Co-operating, in partnership with Culture Co-op / Art House, offering an accessible and creative way for residents to share their views. Building on the strong legacy of arts engagement developed at the former Art House, the space invites people to take part in ways that feel welcoming, social, and inclusive.

At the heart of the project is a large scale indoor communal mural, created by artists’ Liz Chandler and Evan Barlow. Designed as a blue (and pink) print outline, the mural acts as a starting point - both an artwork and an engagement tool - with prompts and questions woven throughout. Visitors are encouraged to colour, draw, write, or simply spend time with the piece, contributing at their own pace while collectively shaping ideas for the future of Middleton.

Open Fridays and Saturdays, 10am - 3pm, until the end of March, the space is designed for everyone. Outside public opening hours, it is available free of charge for local community groups to use for meetings, workshops, and small gatherings.

Delivered in partnership with Middleton Co-operating, Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), Henstock Property and Rochdale Borough Council.

“This space in Midd is a hub, not just for artists but for people to go and talk to people who care and are concerned about the community. The mural in the art space shows past Midd and hopes for the future of our lovely town. Everyone has a say here, it’s our space.” - Local resident.

“The mural is mega, just what the town needs”  - Local resident.