Theatre of cash dreams

ENCORE . . . Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism celebrates the news with David Martin, the Coliseum’s executive director

£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.