Grand plans to create a £24m new theatre in the heart of Oldham, which will be a new home for the now-closed Oldham Coliseum, have been revealed.
Images show what the new space could look like, including a huge wooden atrium, a lush green garden cafe bar, and more state-of-the-art spaces for performers and audiences.
The details plans for the modern and inclusive space are now on display to the public.
It’s all part of a vision to craft a cultural quarter in Oldham, and has had input from the Oldham Coliseum, the Arts Council, and other cultural organisations in the town.
Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “One of the very first things I did after becoming Leader of the Council last month was to meet with the Oldham Coliseum board.
“We agreed they will be tenants at the brand-new theatre we are building in Union Street – underlining our collective determination to work together for the good of theatre in the borough.
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“I’m really glad we can showcase more details on our proposals for the new theatre and get feedback input on them from our communities and theatre users. We asked what you wanted and you told us you want a modern and accessible venue where packed audiences can enjoy a variety of performances so take a look at how they’re coming along and let us know what you think and what else it needs.
Plans for a new theatre in Oldham, which would be home to the Oldham Coliseum. Credit: SuppliedPlans for a new theatre in Oldham, which would be home to the Oldham Coliseum. Credit: Supplied
“We are working hand-in-hand with the Oldham Coliseum, Arts Council and other cultural partners to shape these plans and, together, provide a theatre to be proud of and one that can support the Coliseum’s future as a thriving producing theatre company.”
Duncan Craig OBE, Chair of Trustees at Oldham Coliseum, said: “Since forming the new Board of Trustees for Oldham Coliseum Theatre, we met the key people including architects and project planners who are leading on this massive project.
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“We’re excited to see what Oldham residents and business owners have to say as the public consultation begins.
“There is, of course, much more to do before a new theatre, our new home, is realised but for us as a board, we think this is an exciting step in the journey.
“I’d encourage everyone to get involved and share their thoughts and opinions and I hope to meet as many people as possible – this is your theatre.”
Jennifer Cleary, Director North at Arts Council England, said: “We welcome this next stage in the development of Oldham’s new theatre, which will play a pivotal role in delivery of the borough’s cultural strategy and the future opportunities for young people, artists, creatives and the wider community in Oldham and beyond.
“The Arts Council remains committed to Oldham and we will continue to collaborate with and support partners in the realisation of these exciting plans.”
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A consultation will now take place between Tuesday 27 June and Monday 3 July.
An open event, where key people from Oldham Council and the Coliseum will be available to talk about the designs, will take place at Gallery Oldham in Greaves Street on Monday 3 July between 4pm and 7pm.
SIR Kevin Sinfield among list of local names officially recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026
Danny Jones
While many individuals were already public knowledge, we’re made up to hear that SIR Kevin Sinfield has now finally received his long-overdue knighthood, and he’s not the only recognisable local and/or beloved famous face to have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list for 2026.
There are so many worthy names on the list, but it goes without saying that the ‘Sir Kev’ campaign is one that countless have been flying the flag for rather high over the past few years.
Sinfield, 45, is not only a rugby league and England legend, but he has warmed hearts across the country and beyond through his superhuman ‘7 in 7’ ultramarathon efforts on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in recent times, all in memory of his old teammate and best friend: the late, great Rob Burrow.
Following his 2014 MBE, OBE in 2021, and CBE in ’23, we struggle to think of anyone more deserving of the accolade than the Oldham native, to be honest; here he is talking about the great privilege earlier this month:
Hero, legend, inspiration – these words don’t even begin to cut it.
That being said, he’s not the only ex-sportsman with a crucial Greater Manchester connection to have been honoured this year, as former Scotland international and Manchester United player Lou Macari (who still has a chippy in his name right near the ground) has also been made an MBE.
While Sinfield was recognised for services to sport and charity, 77-year-old Macari has been awarded the accolade for his work helping the homeless across not just the North West but all over the country.
Setting up the Macari Foundation back in 2016 and creating vital shelters, fundraising and support schemes – not to mention being involved in various other adjacent charitable initiatives such as the now annual Old Trafford Stadium Sleepout – it’s a cause he’s backed for more than a decade now.
Put quite simply, he’s helped change people’s lives for the better and save them full-stop.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Monday, 15 June, the Stoke-on-Trent-based, legendary Celtic centre-forward and retired Red was visibly humbled by what could arguably now be his most treasured medal.
Lou Macari has been recognised for his decade-long commitment to a homeless charity in Stoke-on-Trent by being made an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours.
As for other names this year, several Lionesses were also featured as part of the list for 2026, including Euros winners Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo, both of whom also previously played for Manchester City and Man United, respectively.
Fellow WSL stars Michelle Agyemang, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton and Lauren James also joined the duo, along with a quintet of other national team players who were given MBEs as part of King Charles III’s New Year’s Honours List, with the prior official ceremony taking place last month.
One of those names, most notably for Mancs, was Tyldesley’s very own Ella Toone, another MUWFC star who has also shone under England Women’s manager Sarina Wiegman.
You can find the full Birthday Honours List right HERE.
Brand-new sandwich shop with Michelin credentials ALREADY forced to close
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new sandwich shop in Oldham founded by a Michelin-trained chef has had to close its doors already… because it’s simply too popular.
Fjord launched over the weekend, headed up by chef Kieran O’Reilly, with a fine-dining-inspired take on the humble butty. That means sandwiches with up to 20 elements inside.
But the sandwich bar above a barbershop has had to unexpectedly close after just a day of operations, telling followers ‘this isn’t sustainable’.
Fjord’s opening day on Saturday was so popular, they completely sold out within 90 minutes.
The new restaurant said it was having to turn people away from its Lees location, saying it ‘doesn’t sit right’ with them to do so.
And so Kieran and his team have decided to close the sandwich. bar and kitchen for the time being, so that they can reevaluate their operations.
“We’d rather pause briefly now than compromise on quality later,” they wrote in a statement.
“We need a little time to rework our production, increase our capacity, strengthen our supply chain and make sure we can deliver the quality and experience that Fjord stands for, without people queuing endlessly or missing out.”
Saddleworth’s new sandwich bar and kitchen with Michelin credentialsKieran O’Reilly (right) has launched Fjord in Lees
Over the next couple of days, Fjord will be meeting with their investors to stock up on more stand mixers, and more produce, so that they can scale the business to meet the incredible demand from locals.
In their full statement, they wrote: “Over the last few days, the support for Fjord has completely exceeded anything we could have imagined. From local customers to food bloggers, content creators and everyone who’s made the journey to see what we’re about, thank you.
“Today was our official launch, and the response has been overwhelming. We sold through what we expected to be a week’s worth of ingredients in a single day. The feedback on our sandwiches has been incredible, and seeing so many people enjoy what we’ve created has been a proud moment for the whole team.
“The only downside … We’ve had to turn people away. That doesn’t sit right with us. So we’re going to be closing for the next two days.
“Not because anything is wrong, but because everything has gone right.
“We need a little time to rework our production, increase our capacity, strengthen our supply chain and make sure we can deliver the quality and experience that Fjord stands for, without people queuing endlessly or missing out.
“This isn’t a step backwards; it’s a step towards building something sustainable, consistent and worthy of the support you’ve shown us.
“We’d rather pause briefly now than compromise on quality later.
“Thank you for your patience, your support and for believing in what we’re building. We’ll be back very soon, better prepared, fully stocked and ready to welcome even more of you through the door.
“This is only the beginning. All food options, booking and concepts reworked, all announced over the next days. Wednesday morning 9am.”
Daisy Jackson -
30th June 2023 
