Work continues on the landmark theatre, with contractor Tilbury Douglas carrying out a major programme of refurbishment designed to preserve the historic building while bringing it up to modern safety and accessibility standards.
Completed work includes the installation of a new roof, a redesigned backstage area with a wider fully accessible route to the stage, and new changing rooms, showers and toilet facilities. The building has also been stripped back to remove outdated services in preparation for the next phase of the refurbishment.
During the project, contractors also uncovered a previously unknown basement beneath the entrance foyer together with a Coliseum membership card dating from 1953.
As work has progressed, more detailed surveys have identified further repairs, including work to structural elements and the safe removal of asbestos commonly found in buildings of the theatre’s age. The additional work has extended the construction timetable, with reopening now expected in 2027.
The extra £7 million required for the project will be met through grant funding, with Oldham Council confirming there will be no additional cost to council taxpayers.
An Oldham Council spokesperson said, “Work is continuing to make good progress on the refurbishment of Oldham Coliseum Theatre. As these works have progressed, we have been able to do more detailed surveys on each part of the building. We have then discovered that more work is needed on areas like the staircase, where old buildings such as these can have issues with asbestos.
“The Coliseum is a historic venue, so making it fit to be the proper home of theatre in Oldham means we need more time to bring it back to life. We now anticipate a re opening in 2027.
“Our focus remains on making sure the theatre reopens as a high quality venue that will serve Oldham for generations to come. In the meantime, the Coliseum continues to produce fantastic work across the borough, presenting shows in venues including Whittles and George Street Chapel.”
Oldham Coliseum Theatre chief executive Martina Murphy said the venue continued to play an active role in the borough despite the building work.
She said, “The Oldham Coliseum is more than a building. It’s where generations of people have discovered theatre, laughed together and created lasting memories. Every decision being made is about creating a theatre that honours its remarkable history while giving future generations a place to imagine and belong. We want people to walk through those doors knowing we’ve built something that will serve Oldham for decades to come.
“While work on the building continues, the Coliseum has remained active, developing artists, engaging communities and bringing theatre to audiences across the borough. With a strengthened creative leadership team now in place, we’re building on that momentum with confidence and are preparing for the re opening. The building may be under construction, but the Coliseum is very much alive.”
Guest curator Julie Hesmondhalgh said the delay would allow the refurbishment to be completed to the highest standard.
She said, “Although it is obviously disappointing that we have to wait still longer for the reopening of our beloved Coli, I’m sure everyone understands that getting things right and making the beautiful old girl properly future proof is the no 1 priority. Huge thanks to Tilbury Douglas for working so hard and for communicating so transparently with us, and to Oldham Council for continuing to invest in Oldham Coliseum’s future. We couldn’t be more excited by our interim plans, and we at OCT can’t wait to share them soon.”
Kabir Salihi, North West regional director at Tilbury Douglas, said refurbishment of historic buildings often revealed previously hidden issues once work began.
He said, “Refurbishing a building of this heritage, age and construction inherently carries a risk of the unknown, and many issues only become clear once the fabric and structure is carefully opened up. The opening up works have uncovered multiple structural, building services and fire protection related issues that have produced a delay to the overall building programme due to redesign and programme resequencing being required as a result of those issues uncovered.
“The resulting resequenced programme allows us to complete this work safely and properly. Good progress has already been made, and Tilbury Douglas remains committed to delivering a high quality venue that respects the Coliseum’s heritage and serves Oldham for generations to come.”
