£102,000 Coliseum grant under threat

A six-figure grant to Oldham’s Coliseum Theatre is under threat as Greater Manchester’s authorities tighten their belts following the spending review.

And Oldham’s pioneering Peshkar Productions theatre company could also see its grant from the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities reduced or ended.

AGMA pays the Coliseum £102,700 a year for the role it plays in culture across the region. Peshkar receives £9,900. The money comes from discretionary funds to support regional culture, education and services for young people, plus community cohesion, which total £3.4 million.

But on Friday a report will recommend all grants are frozen next year.

A review will be carried out immediately for 2011-12 by AGMA officials who include Councillor Howard Sykes, leader of Oldham Council.

Councillor Sykes said: “Clearly I will be fighting the Coliseum’s corner, but we need to look at everything, because if you protect something, cuts have to be made elsewhere.”

Organisations are being warned the level of support is likely to be reduced or withdrawn and to try and find alternative funding.

Top of the grants table is the Halle Concerts Society at £821,000, followed by the People’s History Museum (£443,000), the Arts Council in the North-West (£340,000) and the Royal Exchange Theatre Company, which receives £232,000. The Coliseum is tenth.

Coliseum executive director David Martin said the theatre also received £545,000 from the Arts Council and £145,000 from Oldham Council.

He added: “Our revenue grants make up a third of our income, the rest we earn. The Coliseum is less subsidised than many similar organisations, and is in a very good position to survive the cuts.”

The aim is not to produce fewer shows, he added, but ticket prices are likely to rise: “We have maintained prices at a standstill for the last two or three years, and inevitably there will be some rises.

“We will maintain some prices at current levels for people on low incomes, or the more vulnerable.”

The aim is still to have eight shows a year, but production costs will be shared with other theatres, and shows will play at several venues.