OLDHAM’S brand-new theatre can be seen for the first time today, in images released ahead of a Cabinet meeting next week – showcasing how the arts venue is a key part of our new-look town centre.
The new theatre will provide a more modern, accessible venue for performers and audiences from Oldham and beyond.
Proposals include a new 300 to 350-seat auditorium, as well as a smaller 120-seat studio, together with enhanced back-stage facilities, additional education, event and rehearsal spaces, and better front-of house facilities including bar and café areas.
The new £24m theatre will revitalize Oldham’s cultural offer, create additional jobs and attract visitors into the town centre.
At a meeting on Monday, 27 February, Oldham Council’s Cabinet committee is set to recommit to building the new theatre and also formally accept funding of £1.845m from Arts Council England, for cultural activities in the borough while the new theatre is built.
It’s on target to be open by 2026 and plans are at an advanced stage, with a planning application to be submitted by this summer. The proposals have been developed by members of the current Oldham Coliseum Board and other cultural organisations, with support from the Arts Council.
Cllr Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “After the really sad news from the Coliseum in recent weeks, it’s great to see such a positive step forward for the future of arts and culture here in Oldham.
“It’s so exciting to see what our theatre will look like and how architects have translated the plans we’ve worked up with our partners for a brilliant new space, in the heart of our emerging cultural quarter.
“This fantastic new theatre will offer performers, staff, and audiences a great experience as well as revitalising our cultural offer, creating jobs and adding to the buzz of a vibrant town centre where people want to live, work and visit.
“Like nearly everyone else in Oldham I was devastated to hear the Coliseum proposes to close the doors for good. This makes it all the more important that our plans for a new theatre continue at pace; and we do still hope there can be a role for the Coliseum in this future.
“It was always the plan that the Coliseum would leave Fairbottom Street and take performances on the road to maintain and build audiences while we built the new theatre. The current building is at the end of its life, and performers, staff and audiences deserve better.
“We have a fantastic future for arts and performance here in our new theatre, building on our fantastic arts heritage, which the Coliseum and cultural partners have been integral to designing.”
It’s underwhelming and has half the seating capacity of the Coliseum. Well done Labour Councillors for having no ambition for our town yet again!