Council Cabinet meeting set to discuss Coliseum's uncertain future

Emotions are likely to be running high once again tonight (Monday) at an Oldham Council Cabinet meeting where the future of Oldham Coliseum will be discussed.

The public meeting is taking place at the Civic Centre on West Street from 6pm.

Members of the public and members of arts union Equity’s Greater Manchester Branch will arrive at the Civic Centre from 5.30pm, holding ‘Save Oldham Coliseum’ placards.

As set out in the Council Cabinet’s agenda, there will be a discussions about the new theatre in Oldham, alongside a public question time.

Equity has submitted the questions (below) and a representative - Chris Clarkson, Secretary of the Greater Manchester Branch - will be attending the meeting in person. 

Equity members who live in Oldham and Coliseum staff have also submitted questions regarding the future of the theatre.

The iconic Coliseum's financial security had been decimated by the confirmation in November that it had been dropped from the Arts Council England (ACE) funding portfolio.

Despite this bitter blow, many hoped there was still a chance the Fairbottom Street venue could carry on and it would not be the end of live theatre in the town.

However, bosses recently confirmed the devastating news that the historic theatre has entered into a period of consultation with staff and are proposing to shut permanently on March 31.

Questions from members of the public Vicky Brazier (Equity trade union North West Councillor) and Paul Liversey (Equity trade union North West Regional Official):

1.            Will you guarantee that the new theatre will be a producing house?

2.            Who is going to run that theatre?

3.            What can you/we do to ensure that the Oldham Coliseum company survives until the new building opens?

4.            What provision will the Council make to maintain a producing theatre company in Oldham operating from April 1st 2023, and who will run that producing company if the Coliseum as a company goes into administration?

5.            How does the Council plan for the new theatre to be a viable producing house in the absence of a fly system/theatrical rigging system, which is necessary for a full pantomime production and for many live theatre production?

6.            Can the Council guarantee the new theatre will be commercially viable for pantomimes with a 300 seat approx capacity theatre?

7.            Has the Council produced an assessment of the permanent jobs the new theatre will create balanced against the job losses from the current theatre, taking into account the lack of need for specialist fly/theatre rigging staff?

8.            Has the Council produced an assessment for how it will ensure it can hire the skilled staff needed for operating a new theatre and it will work to stop the loss of skilled staff from Oldham who will be made redundant from the Coliseum on March 31, 2023?

9.            Is there absolutely no way the Council can support the Coliseum to remain open until after the next panto and then support the company to work peripatetically?

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