Oldham’s historic Coliseum theatre has been saved from closure, after a successful campaign led by the actor Julie Hesmondhalgh.
The theatre’s shock closure was announced last year, after Arts Council England withdrew its funding. It cited concerns over management, while Oldham council, which owns the building, said that it was “no longer fit for purpose”.
The council had said that it planned to construct a new, smaller theatre in the town, but this was only planned to be half the size of the existing venue, and would not put on its own productions.
The move was met with outcry, and led to a campaign to save the theatre, which is more than 135 years old, and has been credited with launching the career of many actors, including a string of Coronation Street stars.
Showbiz greats Charlie Chaplin, Eric Sykes and Dame Thora Hird also trod the theatre’s boards during their careers, while more recently, House of the Dragon’s Olivia Cooke and Doctor Who’s Millie Gibson performed there with Oldham Theatre Workshop.
The building has been closed since last spring, with the council citing a number of issues including asbestos and poor accessibility. However, it has now pledged £10m for refurbishment – which is still significantly less than the £24m that had been pledged to construct a new venue.
The Coliseum is expected to open again by Christmas 2025, when the theatre will stage a pantomime as its first production after the refurbishment.
Oldham council’s leader, Arooj Shah, said she “wanted to listen to the people” and that Oldhamers had “an affection for this building that you can’t ignore”.
A number of famous people including Suranne Jones, Christopher Eccleston, Maxine Peake and Lisa Riley had joined Hesmondhalgh, who recently starred in the ITV Post Office drama as the partner of campaigner Alan Bates, in the campaign to save the building.
“It was a real shock when we found out that council had listened to us,” Hesmondhalgh told BBC Breakfast, “because it shows that with passion and persistence, you can change the world. People power.”
A group, Save Oldham Coliseum, was set up by local theatre lovers in the town, and was behind the grassroots lobbying of the council that was backed by stars of stage and screen.
“I can’t put it into words, I’ve just had a massive smile on my face ever since I found out,” Jane Barker, 58, from the group, told the BBC. “I think to have the Coliseum back will give everybody in the area such a huge boost.”
On Monday night, campaigners celebrated the news with a street party outside the venue, with actors including Les Dennis and Sue Devaney in attendance, and a brass band playing to the gathered crowds.
Local hospitality businesses have also welcomed the U-turn, saying there had been a drop in footfall since the theatre closed.
An Arts Council England spokesperson said: “Our priority is to work with the people of Oldham to make sure that they have access to the art and theatre that they want – which is why we’re investing £1.85m over three years to support a creative and cultural programme in the borough, delivered by partners including Oldham Coliseum Theatre Limited and Oldham Theatre Workshop.
“While the Coliseum building belongs to Oldham council and isn’t funded by the Arts Council, we know what a well-loved landmark it is, and recognise its link to the strong history of theatre in the town, and the work the campaign group has been doing to preserve it.”
