Major investment in Oldham theatre

Oldham Coliseum Theatre has received GBP 1.45 million for major refurbishment work from Oldham Council.

Details of the schedule for renovation has not be announced, but executive director David Martin said that the main areas of improvement will be in replacing the theatre's heating and ventilation system and removing asbestos from the building.

He noted that the material is sealed and poses no danger, but its presence is restricting certain repair work from going ahead.

Mr Martin told the Stage that the material has meant that there is no access to the theatre's backstage and trap doors, meaning that the panto baddy has not been able to rise from below for a decade.

'The fabric of the building is very important to us and these works will enable us to offer a far more comfortable experience to our many customers, volunteers and participants in cultural activities,' he said in a statement.

Funding for the project will last four years and is part of a larger GBP 32 million capital investment plan in Oldham.