Equity call on local residents to have their say on the Coliseum crisis at public meeting

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 21 at 6.30pm

A public meeting has been called by trade union Equity for residents from Oldham to get the chance to 'demand answers' from decision-makers over the future of the Coliseum Theatre.

Equity is a trade union that operates across the country, representing professional performers and other creative workers.

Following the news that the Coliseum theatre has been forced to axe its shows from March onwards this year after a huge chunk of its funding was cut by Arts Council England, Equity is now calling on senior representatives to take questions from the public.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 21 at 6.30pm, at a venue still to be confirmed.

Representatives from the Arts Council, Oldham Council and the Coliseum's management team, as well as local MPs, have been invited to attend the meeting and answer people's pressing questions about the Coliseum.

A statement on Megaphone read: “Oldham Coliseum is a theatre that has been creating culture by, for and with the people of Oldham for 135 years.

“But last week it was forced to cancel all upcoming programming in the wake of Arts Council England cutting 100% of its NPO funding.

“On February 21, we’re calling a public meeting to demand answers.

“You can ask the decision-makers why they’ve made these choices, and demand they find a solution that keeps good union jobs and a local theatre alive in Oldham for years to come.

“We’re inviting a senior representative from Arts Council England, Oldham Council, and the Coliseum’s management team, as well as local MPs, to attend this meeting, and answer questions from YOU about what is going on at the Coliseum.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.