Funding blow not in theatre’s script

COUNCIL chiefs have slashed their contribution to the Coliseum’s refurbishment by almost a third in the latest funding blow to hit the theatre.

But Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon has denied accusations his party is neglecting the town’s “jewel in the crown” and says support is being focused on helping the Coliseum gain funding for a new building.

The allocated budget was slashed by £435,000, which was needed for urgent repairs to the building.

Lib-Dem Councillor Roger Hindle, a council appointee to the Coliseum Theatre Board, said: “It’s one of the few performing theatres in the region yet the council obviously doesn’t care about it.

“We fought hard to find almost £1.5million when the Coliseum needed to carry out much-needed and in some instances, desperate, repairs.

“At the end of June there was an item of discussion at the Coliseum board meeting and the chairman of the board specifically asked if there would still be cross-party support for all that to be made available.

“I certainly answered in a positive way as did Councillor Bernard Judge, so I’m extremely disappointed.”

But Councillor McMahon says Labour’s support will be in the region of £5million as he is working with the Heritage Lottery Fund to produce a package of investment to secure the Coliseum, but to also regenerate part of Oldham.

He says his long-term aspirations are to see a brand new state-of-the-art theatre in the town.

“The Arts Council and the Arts Lottery for the first time in the country have agreed to come on the steering group before a project has been submitted,” he said.

“That shows you the confidence and representation that I have personally made in supporting the Coliseum.

“If the Coliseum spends £2m, £3m or £4million today, they can do — that’s our support to them, but it means they have less on a new building.”

Dave Martin, executive director at the Coliseum, said: “If Councillor McMahon does find £5 million, we would be extremely grateful, but he has made it clear that every penny spent on the old building is money we can’t spend twice, but we do need urgent upgrades in the interim.”

It is the second blow for the theatre after learning its £102,700 revenue grant from the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) could be reduced or withdrawn after details of a new scheme were released.