£21,000 grant aid sounds good for Coliseum

Oldham Coliseum

OLDHAM Coliseum has received almost £21,000 for new lighting and sound equipment.

The money comes from the Landfill Communities Fund, which allows tip operators to donate part of their landfill tax to community and environmental projects.

The Coliseum will get the cash from a charitable company set up by Viridor - Greater Manchester’s waste and recycling service, and 10 per cent was donated by Oldham engineering firm Pilgrim International, a long-time supporter of the theatre.

Lesley Chenery, head of production at the Coliseum, said: “The new equipment allows us to raise the bar even higher and experiment with new techniques.”

Young people taking part in the Coliseum’s teaching theatre training scheme will also benefit from the equipment. Previous participants have gone on to work at the Royal Exchange in Manchester.

John Lockwood, chief executive of Viridor Credits Environmental company, said “I am delighted that we were able to support Coliseum for the second time with almost £21,000 for new lighting and sound equipment. This will enhance productions, improve the experience for theatre goers and hopefully, attract more people to this much loved local cultural amenity.”