Liberal Democrats call for regeneration cash to be used to save Oldham Coliseum
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat councillors have set out proposals that could save Oldham Coliseum in the lead up to Oldham Council’s final meeting before the May local elections.
Liberal Democrat Leader and Leader of the Opposition councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Since the Coliseum announced that it would have to close its doors, the public support for the Theatre has been phenomenal. Oldham residents, theatregoers from across the country, as well as some of the biggest names in UK performing arts are united by a desire to save the Oldham Coliseum; and keep it on Fairbottom Street where it belongs.”
“Despite a decade of failure from the Council, the Government and Arts Council England, Liberal Democrats still believe it is possible to bring the Fairbottom Street building back into use. That’s why we’re bringing a motion to Oldham Council this month (13/3/24) which will commit the Council to reallocating the funds and making the necessary investigations so that the Oldham Coliseum can stay in its home.”
In their motion, the Liberal Democrats have stated that the closure of the much-loved venue signifies a serious failure by all parties involved, with the withdrawal of ACE funding – and the failure to secure the long-term future of the site, despite missed opportunities linked with town centre regeneration projects.
Councillor Sykes said, “The Coliseum is an Oldham treasure. The Council has not done all in its power to protect it.”
“In September 2023, despite the then leadership of our Council publicly stating otherwise, a study commissioned by the Coliseum Board concluded that the Fairbottom Street building is not beyond repair and could be used again.”
“It is possible for the Labour administration to reallocate funds from other town centre regeneration projects which are already connected with the future of Oldham Coliseum. Doing this would bring forward the funds needed to make the repairs needed at the Fairbottom Street site.”
“It’s a political choice to allow the Fairbottom Street site to remain closed. It is for the ruling Labour Group to decide if they will back our proposals or stay the course with their various town centre spending plans at the expense of Oldham Coliseum.”
Full Council 13/03/2024 – Notice of Opposition Business
Liberal Democrat Group Motion: Save Oldham Coliseum
Proposed by: Councillor Garth Harkness
Seconded by: Councillor Hazel Gloster
This Council believes:
Oldham Coliseum Theatre was a treasured local asset that has drawn audiences from across the country to Fairbottom Street for more than 135 years. Its productions have put Oldham on the map and brought acclaim from across the UK’s arts and culture sector. For many years, the Coliseum has been one of only a handful of producing theatres outside of London, providing a platform for the development of new work.
The closure of its Fairbottom Street home signifies a serious failure by all parties involved, with the withdrawal of ACE funding – and the failure to secure the long-term future of the site, despite missed opportunities linked with town centre regeneration projects.
This Council notes that:
Since the Coliseum announced that it would close in March 2023, the public support for the Theatre has been phenomenal. Oldham residents, theatregoers from across the country, as well as some of the biggest names in UK performing arts are united by a desire to resolve the difficulties facing the Oldham Coliseum; and keep it on Fairbottom Street where it belongs.
In September 2023, despite the then leadership of this Council publicly stating otherwise, a study commissioned by the Coliseum Board concluded that the Fairbottom Street building is not beyond repair and could be used again and brought up to a modern standard with the appropriate investment.
Investing in the Fairbottom building could be a much more cost-effective proposal freeing up millions for other projects and much needed regeneration.
This Council resolves to:
1) Examine the feasibility of refurbishing and investing into the Fairbottom Street building.
2) Explore funding streams that could help finance the redevelopment of the existing venue, including the reallocation of funds from other initiatives linked with the future of Oldham Coliseum.
3) Bring a report to cabinet as soon as possible outlining the steps that this Council can take to support the Oldham Coliseum Theatre to remain at home, on Fairbottom Street, which would also help regenerate that part of Oldham town centre and Yorkshire Street.