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Theatre of cash dreams
Date published: 26 July 2010
£1.45m to secure Coliseum’s future
The future of the Coliseum Theatre is being secured with a £1.45 million investment over the next four years.
The major works involve replacing the almost obsolete heating system and removing asbestos.
Councillors heard at last week’s council meeting that the Coliseum’s heating could fail at any time, and repairs could result in the release of asbestos fibres.
The building is more than 100 years old and is owned by Oldham Council, and used by the Coliseum company, backed by major support from the Arts Council England.
Now the council has agreed to use money from its £32 million capital spending programme for the next four years for repairs.
Councillor leader, Councillor Howard Sykes, said: “The Coliseum has long been an outstanding jewel in our town centre and it was clear we must secure its long term future.
“Making this investment now will enable the timing of this work to be controlled in order to minimise disruption to the theatre’s programme and public use.
“If the heating system was left to fail, the emergency work could potentially cost more and mean the cancellation of theatre events.”
Coliseum executive director David Martin is delighted with the news and added: “We have been having discussions with the council and Arts Council England about the general infrastructure at the Coliseum.”
The theatre has already renewed carpets front of house, and is overhauling the toilets.
Comments
The Coliseum needs ten times that amount in order to do anything worthwhile. Repairing the heating system will only delay the inevitable. The existing site is totally unsuitable for the theatrical activities that its management wants to engage in. The sooner that the theatre is moved into a custom built facility, the better.
Perhaps performances can be continued at the Civic Centre during the refurbishment..oh hang on there's a pantomine already going on there!
Totally disagree. The council should have saved itself £1.45m and sold the building to bring a few quid in. Old building stock off the books and money to spend rather than being spent.
Why should ratepayers subsidise a charity that cannot sustain itself?
fantastic news. a bit of oldham heritage getting some attention for a change.
I'd agree with Alice. This isn't about preserving a listed building. This resource would be far better spent assisting the Coliseum to reocate
Great news, but again, too little, too late.
Oldham Coliseum should have moved into the Old Town Hall years ago. It would have been proudly placed in the centre of town, with buses and parking nearby. Cleg Street Theatrical Quater, with the Lyceam music hall and gallery's almost next to each other.
Another missed opportunity.
The existing site is totally unsuitable for the theatrical activities that it needs to put on to regain its proud center peice of Oldham. Why can the theatre be moved into the old town hall and custom built the internal facility. Better use of both buildings.. the current old coliseum could be used by oldham theatre workshop, who's old members include michael le vell, paul oldham, anne kirkbride.. to name but a few..
The idea of the Coliseum moving into the old Town Hall has always been a pipe dream.
What Oldham should be looking for is a modern intimate theatre like the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.
Sadly the Coliseum no longer has the reputation it once enjoyed. It can't even fill the seats (certainly not when I've been along there to see something) it has now so a bigger theatre would be a waste of time. I agree with keeping it going but I also think it has become known for its educational work at the expense of its main productions. Though I'm sure that brings in more grants (or used to).
Its in a bad location - you have to run the gauntlet of drunks and yobs to get there on a Friday or Saturday Night.
Saddleworth would make a much better location - What about the Fletchers Mill site in Greenfield ? It would make a great Cultural & Arts centre close to Dovestones with great scenery and terrific pubs and restaurants in the area. Just the spot for a great night out - unless you prefer greasy take aways, loud music and yobs out for recreational violence - then Oldham's your dive.
Have Your Say
Well done Oldham Council and Coliseum Theatre. This investment is well needed. Oldham's cultural "jewel in the crown" must survive and this is well worth the investment.
By oldhamproud @ 26/07/2010 13:23:51