Ambitious £24 million plans for a brand-new home for Oldham Coliseum have officially been submitted this week.
After the historic theatre in the heart of Oldham announced its shock closure with a heartbreaking statement due to a loss of funding earlier this year, Oldham Council went on to unveil its vision for the future of Oldham Coliseum back in June, and even shared a few photos of what the impressive new cultural hub could look like.
With a design that’s been influenced by surrounding historical buildings, and using materials to “complement” the town’s current architecture, the Council says the plans for the “modern and accessible” theatre make it both suitable for the audiences of today, all while in keeping with Oldham’s proud history.
A main auditorium with seating for more than 300 people, a 120-seat studio theatre, an education suite, and a number of all-day café bar areas – which can also be used as additional performance spaces – all form part of the £24 million masterplan.
Plans for Oldham Coliseum’s £24m ‘new home’ have officially been submitted / Credit: Oldham Council
And now, those “ambitious” plans have officially been submitted this week – with a decision due to be made on the application by November.
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Set to take shape and form a focal point of Oldham’s new outdoor arts and performance space, the “new home” for Oldham Coliseum would be open from morning into the evening, and won’t just be a place for performances and theatre, according to the Council, but also a place where people can “meet up and socialise”.
The Council also hopes the exciting new theatre will boost the town’s night time economy.
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The plans form a focal point of Oldham’s new outdoor arts and performance space / Credit: Oldham Council
Speaking as the £24 million plans were submitted for approval this week, Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Council, said: “This is such an exciting next step for Oldham Coliseum, theatregoers in Oldham and beyond, and everyone involved who has helped bring this new theatre to life.
“Oldham has such a fantastic heritage of theatre and production spanning back decades, so it’s important we continue this for future generations.
“It’s also important to remember that this new space won’t just be a theatre.
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“It will be a place that encourages people to come together with friends and family to get creative, socialise with one another and celebrate the arts [and] I personally can’t wait to see our new theatre throw open its doors.”
A formal decision is due to be made on the plans by November 2023 / Credit: Oldham Council
Duncan Craig OBE, Chair of Trustees, Oldham Coliseum’s Chair of Trustees, Duncan Craig, has also called the formal submitting of the plans this week “another exciting step forward”.
But he admitted that there’s “still a journey ahead”.
“The success of the theatre will only happen if we work together and show just exactly what a mighty Coliseum can be,” he concluded.
Featured Image – Oldham Council
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‘Unsettled week’ of wind, rain, and snow could greet Mancs into the new year
Thomas Melia
A mix of weather conditions could be expected to hit the north across the new year weekend – including wind, rain, and snow.
As Greater Manchester prepares to enter 2025, it looks like we’ll be bringing our usual moody weather along with us too, as starting today and running right through until the end of this week, Mancs can expect some not-so-pleasant conditions to accompany this party season.
The Met Office has described this period as ‘an unsettled week’.
While forecasters are encouraging people to keep checking for further weather updates where possible, thankfully, this turbulent spell of weather is only predicted to stick around until Thursday (2 January) – with no warnings issued for this Friday (3 January) or the weekend so far.
As we move from 2024 to 2025 the week ahead will involve plenty of rain, wind and some snow
If you have any plans over the New Year/Hogmanay period then check out all the important weather details below ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/qllOnV0cDX
In a video shared to the Met Office’s X account, the visual shows that the most severe cases of wet and windy conditions look like on New Year’s Day itself (Wednesday 1 January), where there is even some snow forecasted for certain areas.
“Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week,” warned Andy Page, who is the Chief Forecaster at the Met Office.
He continued: “With lots of celebrations and people on the move over the coming days, we are urging everyone to keep checking the forecast so they can update their plans.”
Picturesque Greater Manchester railway granted £1.3m to restore historic viaduct
Emily Sergeant
One of Greater Manchester’s most picturesque railways has been given substantial funding to restore a historic viaduct along the line.
As part of the Government‘s wider Plan for Change, the Bury-based heritage railway, East Lancashire Railway (ELR), has been awarded more than £1.3 million in grants to carry out urgent repair work to the Higher Woodhill Viaduct – which is on the edge of Burrs Country Park, in the heart of the stunning Irwell Valley.
Repairs to the historic viaduct, which goes past the site of the former Higher Woodhill Mill, were last carried out all the way back in 1932.
But now, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has granted the funding for restoration through its ‘Community Ownership Fund’, alongside three local authorities from Bury, Rochdale, and the nearby Rossendale in Lancashire, all putting in a further £276,000 in match funding.
We’re supporting local treasures across the UK with vital funding
— Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Gov (@mhclg) December 23, 2024
Important supporters of the railway, such as members of the public and local businesses, have also added a few thousand pounds more to the project.
While inspections to the structure and safety of the viaduct are carried out on a regular basis, ELR assures, it was flagged earlier in 2024 that long-term repairs would be required to allow for the “continued level of use” of steam and heritage diesel trains along the line.
Speaking on the funding being granted, Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway, commented: “This is a major investment for the future and a massive vote of confidence for our dedicated volunteers and staff to help secure the railway’s infrastructure for years to come.
“Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy, thanks to the generosity and support of the East Lancashire Railway Trust, our local community partners and supporters, as well as local and national politicians.”
Essential maintenance works are due to start next year in the spring.
Emily Sergeant -
30th August 2023 
