Oldham Coliseum Saved: Liberal Democrats welcome Oldham Council U-turn as new future for Fairbottom Street in sight

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed news that new funding is to be made available for the Oldham Coliseum Theatre.  The news that the Coliseum will reopen at its historic Fairbottom Street home comes after hard campaigning including a successful motion to Oldham Council submitted by the Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Sykes said: “This is excellent news and not a moment too soon for the Coliseum.  It’s a victory for the campaigners who have made this happen.  The Liberal Democrats put constant pressure on the Labour Council to step in.  Most recently we won a vote which pushed the Council to look again at funding for the Fairbottom street venue by repurposing town centre regeneration funding.”

The Coliseum closed its doors in March 2023 after Arts Council England withdrew its funding, sparking huge outcry from the public and a host of famous actors from across the UK.

Councillor Sykes said: “It should never have happened.  Over recent years the Oldham Council has had many opportunities to intervene and hasn’t done so.  The only reason we have been able to pressure the Council to act is because Labour no longer has a majority.

“But this is great news for the future of the Coliseum and on this occasion, Liberal Democrat councillors are all too happy for the Labour Administration to steal our ideas.  This is about preserving a true cultural icon and the jewel in Oldham Borough’s crown.”