Historical theatre's reopening delayed again

A historical theatre, which has been closed for three years, will remain shut until 2027 after "more widespread" asbestos and major building issues were found.

Oldham's Coliseum Theatre is being refurbished after a long campaign to save the venue, backed by former Coronation Street actor Julie Hesmondhalgh.

The theatre is now expected to reopen in 2027 after securing an extra £7m grant to clear the asbestos and fix structural defects beneath a staircase.

Hesmondhalgh said: "Everyone understands that getting things right and making the beautiful old girl properly future-proof is the number one priority."

The theatre, on Fairbottom Street had been undergoing a £10m major refurbishment to deliver a "high-quality and safe venue for the borough".

Actors union Equity said it had met theatre management over the delays and would "ensure regular contact", adding it hoped to "work constructively towards this much-loved venue being fully functioning next year".

Surveys, which involved knocking into the building's walls, found a basement beneath the entrance foyer.

Matthew Bulmer, project director for Oldham Council, said structural defects beneath one staircase and more asbestos were also found.

"You would expect to find asbestos in a building of this age but there is more of it and it's more widespread than we would have liked," he added.

No money will be coming from Oldham Council's budget and no costs will be passed on to council tax payers - the £7m comes from a grant and a contingency fund.

Asbestos, which was once valued for its strength and fireproofing capabilities in old buildings, is now banned and if disturbed its fibres can cause severe, incurable lung diseases.

Extreme care needs to be taken in its removal.

Bulmer told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "With a project like this, there are bumps in the road but we will get it done."

While the theatre is closed, operators Oldham Coliseum Theatre Limited have continued to put on events across the borough.

Chief Executive Martina Murphy said: "The Oldham Coliseum is more than a building.

"It's where generations of people have discovered theatre, laughed together and created lasting memories."

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