Plans for a new theatre in Oldham have been revealed for the first time - and propelled forward following the loss of the Coliseum.

After Oldham Coliseum Theatre announced this month that it will be forced to close its doors 'for good' at the end of March, the Arts Council and local authority have been working to establish a new provision for arts and culture in the borough.

Today, Tuesday, plans for a new £24m theatre have been revealed which shows a more modern and accessible venue for performers and audiences from Oldham and beyond.

READ MORE: Coronation Street stars back Save Oldham Coliseum campaign

READ MORE: 'It's a beacon': Maxine Peake on why she backs calls to save Oldham Coliseum

The new venue is proposed to sit near the library and Gallery Oldham and was initially intended to be a future home for the Coliseum.

The draft plans propose an auditorium with 300 to 350 seats, as well as a smaller 120-seat studio with enhanced backstage facilities and an additional education, event and rehearsal space.

The theatre will also offer better front-of-hour facilities, including a bar and cafe area.

The council's Cabinet committee will meet on Monday, February 27, to discuss its recommitment to building the new theatre after previous plans fell through in 2018.

The fresh commitment comes as Arts Council England (ACE) has offered Oldham £1.845m to establish a cultural offer in the borough.

The ringfenced funds are the same amount that would have gone to Oldham Coliseum.

However, the Coliseum's bid for funds was rejected by ACE after it deemed the application 'high risk' due to the theatre's financial security, plummeting audience figures and concerns over leadership and governance.

READ MORE: Why the Oldham Coliseum was refused funds - and its roadmap for the future

The Fairbottom Street theatre, which is more than 135 years old, is also in a state of "disrepair".

To utilise the Arts Council funds, the council must formally indicate its acceptance of the funding and propose the development of a new theatre.

The new theatre has a target opening date of 2026 which the Council hopes will secure the future of performing arts in Oldham and build on the town's theatrical legacy.

Plans are currently at an advanced stage with a planning application due to be submitted this summer.

The proposals have been developed by members of the Oldham Coliseum board and other cultural organisations, and has support from the Arts Council.

Meanwhile, the council said discussions remain ongoing with the Coliseum Board to try and retain some of its artistic legacy and find a workable way forward.

Council leader, Cllr Amanda Chadderton, said: “After the really sad news from the Coliseum in recent weeks, it's great to see such a positive step forward for the future of arts and culture here in Oldham.

"It's so exciting to see what our theatre will look like and how architects have translated the plans we’ve worked up with our partners for a brilliant new space, in the heart of our emerging cultural quarter.

“This fantastic new theatre will offer performers, staff, and audiences a great experience as well as revitalising our cultural offer, creating jobs and adding to the buzz of a vibrant town centre where people want to live, work and visit."

The councillor said she was "devastated" to hear the latest Coliseum announcement that it will close its doors for good.

"This makes it all the more important that our plans for a new theatre continue at pace and we do still hope there can be a role for the Coliseum in this future", she added.

Cllr Chadderton also said it was always the plan for the Coliseum to leave its current venue and take its performances on the road.

She said the current building "is at the end of its life" and performers, staff and audiences "deserve better" than what it can provide.

“We have a fantastic future for arts and performance here in our new theatre, building on our fantastic arts heritage, which the Coliseum and cultural partners have been integral to designing", Cllr Chadderton added.

There is also a public meeting tonight, Tuesday, at Oldham Coliseum where the public has been invited to "demand answers" over the future of the theatre.