Oldham Coliseum’s fresh façade approved
A refurbishment and a new frontage facing Fairbottom Street are the key aspects of the council’s latest update to plans to reinstate the 138-year-old theatre as a central part of the local arts and culture scene.
In December last year, Tilbury Douglas was appointed to carry out the £10m project. The council had hoped the theatre would be open by the start of this year’s pantomime season, but the completion date has now been pushed back to 2026 as a result of changing plans.
At the beginning of the month, Oldham Council approved its own application for the extensive reset of both interior and exterior spaces to revitalise the building, gone unused since March 2023.
Plans also look to transform the dilapidated main frontage to Fairbottom Street to better reflect the building’s stature as a cultural hub.
Lambert Smith Hampton submitted the proposal on the council’s behalf in June. Ellis Williams Architects is the designer on board for the project.
The work will bring the nearly 140-year-0ld theatre back into public use. Credit: via planning documents
Originally created as a timber circus building, the Coliseum became a theatre in 1887 and included a fly tower, rehearsal space, and staff facilities.
Despite its age, Oldham Coliseum does not have a Historic England listing.
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The Coliseum is located over 0.4 acres off Fairbottom Street, Yorkshire Street, and High Street.
RPS and Suono assisted with the application.
To view the scheme, use the planning reference number on FUL/354727/25 on Oldham Council’s planning portal.
