The company that ran the former Oldham Coliseum that closed in March has been given the green light to move into the new theatre space in Oldham.

After the Oldham Coliseum on Fairbottom Street was forced to close its doors in March this year, the future of the company and its creatives had been hanging in the balance.

Meanwhile, Oldham Council announced it was designing a new £24m theatre space, which is scheduled to open in 2026.

Now, however, the company has announced it will be the anchor tenant for the new space in three years' time.

The announcement follows extensive discussions between Oldham Council and the new board of Oldham Coliseum Theatre Ltd.

The new board came to the rescue after the Coliseum's unsuccessful bid for Arts Council England National Portfolio funds from April 1.

The Coliseum was forced to close as a result on March 31, which lead to redundancies of the Coliseum's loyal staff team and an emotional farewell ending.

Oldham Council had previously begun developing the plans for a new theatre in the borough, which will be located on Greaves Street as part of Oldham’s Cultural Quarter.

As part of the discussions, Duncan Craig, chair of the Oldham Coliseum Theatre Ltd, took a seat on the performance space partnership board which is chaired by Fiona Gasper and other members from Oldham Council.

As well as Peshkar, which was awarded Arts Council funding this year, and Oldham Theatre Workshop, the board is responsible for overseeing the design and delivery of the new threatre.

Recent discussions between the board and Council have focused on the delivering of high-quality arts and culture for Oldhamers at a range of venues across the borough in the interim before the building is ready.

The team is currently exploring new approaches to programming, creative learning, talent development and audience development in Oldham whilst building new partnerships that ensure the new theatre responds to the needs of Oldham’s diverse communities and creative practitioners.

In lieu of the funding given to the Coliseum, the Arts Council gave Oldham a ringfenced £1.845m to deliver a new cultural programme instead.

The Council has now submitted a new proposal to Arts Council England which would see the Coliseum play a key role in the delivery of the arts and cultural plan, though this has not been confirmed as of yet.

Duncan Craig OBE, Chair of Oldham Coliseum Theatre Ltd, said:  “My focus since becomingcChair in March has been on listening to the Coliseum’s many friends, partners, collaborators and supporters – and I’m delighted that our conversations are starting to bear fruit.

"This has been a very difficult time for so many people associated with the Coliseum, from staff and volunteers to those who’ve simply known and loved this grand old theatre.

"My huge thanks go to Chris Lawson, the Coliseum’s outgoing Artistic Director, and the Coliseum’s departing staff, who have continued to work with tireless dedication in such trying circumstances. 

"My fellow Board members and I look forward to continuing collaborating with Oldham Council, ACE, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and others as we work together on delivering culture to the heart of Oldham.”

Emma Barton, executive director for Place and Economic Growth, added: “This is a key milestone in the future of theatre in the borough, ensuring arts and performance continue to thrive in Oldham, and ensuring that performers and audiences have a fully accessible, modern and sustainable new venue.

“The new theatre will revitalize Oldham’s cultural offer, create additional jobs and attract visitors into the town centre.

“It's on target to be open by 2026 – giving certainty to the future of performing arts in the town and building on our theatrical legacy – along with activities and performance to build and maintain audiences between now and then.”