Further delays to Coliseum restoration as additional work identified
The long-awaited return of the Oldham Coliseum has been delayed again, with partners on the project now setting a new reopening date of 2027. Oldham Council said more detailed surveys uncovered further work needed to bring the Victorian theatre up to modern safety and accessibility standards.
The Grade‑listed venue, more than 135 years old, closed in 2023. It had earlier been targeted to reopen for the local pantomime season in 2025, a plan that was pushed back after previously unidentified asbestos was discovered. That disruption has now been extended after further investigations revealed additional structural and material issues.
“The revised timeline will ensure the Coliseum reopens as a safe, accessible and future-ready cultural landmark for Oldham,”
A council statement said that much of the refurbishment is already complete, including a new roof and a redesigned backstage area, but that work remains on elements such as staircases where old buildings commonly present hidden problems. To cover the extra required work an additional £7 million has been agreed by the council.
What this means for local theatre and freelancers
The Coliseum’s management has continued to produce shows across Oldham while the building is closed, staging performances at alternative venues in the borough. The theatre has also recently denied claims of financial difficulties following reports of delayed payments to some freelancers.
While temporary stages and community programming will continue, the delay means the borough will be without its primary historic producing theatre for several more seasons. Local performers, technical crews and audience members who expected a return to the Coliseum in the near term will now have longer to wait.
- Original planned reopening: in time for 2025 pantomime season (later pushed)
- Recent delay reason: additional structural work and asbestos removal identified
- New reopening date: 2027
- Extra funding agreed: £7 million by Oldham Council
Costs, progress and next steps
The council described the extra funding as “an investment in culture for the people of Oldham.” Some major elements of the project are finished, but the new timeframe reflects the need to complete thorough surveys and remedial work typical of buildings of the Coliseum’s age.
| Work completed | Outstanding work |
|---|---|
| New roof | Staircase and other structural elements |
| Backstage redesign | Asbestos removal in identified areas |
Council leaders say the extra time will ensure the venue meets contemporary standards for safety and accessibility and will deliver a facility fit to serve Oldham for decades to come. In the meantime, the Coliseum will continue to create work across the borough and make use of alternative stages to keep local audiences engaged.
Residents and those who work in Oldham’s arts sector will be watching the project closely as contractors move forward on the remaining complex work needed to return the historic building to full use.
