Oldham Coliseum has announced it is seeking to permanently close its doors at the end of March.

Trustees and leaders from the Fairbottom Street theatre said they have been "working hard" to find a solution to the reduction in funds after Arts Council England (ACE) rejected its application for funding in November.

However, Oldham Coliseum said: "The current financial situation is not sustainable for the running of a full-time theatre.

"It is with great regret therefore that we announce that we have entered a consultation period with all staff and it is proposed that Oldham Coliseum Theatre will close its doors on Friday, 31 March 2023."

Bosses said they will continue to work with the Arts Council and Oldham Council to "ensure a smooth transition period for the company", which includes support to the theatre's workforce and commitments to artists.

The post on social media continued: "The Coliseum has been at the heart of theatre in Oldham for over 100 years with a highly regarded history in the industry dating back to the Oldham Rep which launched the careers of many famous faces.

"Many of the Coliseum's staff have lived in Oldham all their lives and worked with the company for over a decade.

"They are the priority for the company at this time."

The performances will resume at the Coliseum up until March 26 while ticket holders for other events will be refunded over the coming weeks.

An Arts Council spokesperson added: “Oldham Coliseum has begun the required consultation with its staff about future options, following their decision at the end of January to cancel forthcoming events.

"We understand this must be a very difficult time and are working to support the company’s board and management who are leading this process.  

"Alongside our current funding, which continues until the end of March, we recently agreed transition support of £358,856 to help give the company time and space to make decisions about its future.

“Arts Council England remains committed to Oldham and we’ll be investing £1.845 million in the town so that people don’t miss out on amazing creative activities.

"We’re working closely with Oldham Council on how this significant investment should be used to support the future of performing arts in Oldham and we are fully behind plans for a performing space for the town.”

Leader of Oldham Council, Amanda Chadderton, said she was also "devastated" to hear the latest news but that she understands why the Coliseum came to make the "difficult decision".

The councillor continued: "The Council has been talking to them since November when they found out they were losing Arts Council funding and we have tried to help them in every way possible to continue, but the scale and severity of their financial challenges seem to have proven insurmountable.

"The building is no longer fit for purpose, it’s not compliant for accessibility, and it’s in a poor state of repair - audiences, performers and staff deserve better."

Plans have been in the works for years to relocate the Coliseum out of its building on Fairbottom Street and Oldham Council said it remains "committed to building a new theatre on Union Street" as part of its regeneration plans for the town centre.

"We will continue to work with the Coliseum and Arts Council during this difficult time for the Coliseum and its staff, and see if there is a way to retain the name and the spirit of the great artistic legacy that the Oldham Coliseum has", Cllr Chadderton added.