Oldham to receive £1.8m to boost cultural activity following Coliseum closure

Funding worth £1.8 million has been granted to Oldham Council to support creative and cultural activity in the borough.

The money was previously earmarked by Arts Council England for Oldham, but it was subject to an application, which has now been successful.

When the money was earmarked initially, campaigners called on ACE to use the money to support Oldham Coliseum Ltd in its bid to keep the Oldham Coliseum open. Oldham Coliseum Ltd lost its ACE national portfolio funding last year. The venue subsequently closed in March.

The money will support activity in the borough over the next three years.

According to ACE, the funding will allow the council "to commission and deliver an exciting cultural programme that will offer the community and visitors a wide range of arts and theatre to enjoy". This will include a mix of commissioned work, festivals and participatory events, as well as shows from visiting companies, it added.

The council will use ACE’s £1.8 million to support organisations, including Oldham Theatre Workshop and Oldham Coliseum, which – despite not having a venue – continues to operate as an organisation. It has been announced as the lead tenant for a new venue set to open in Oldham in 2026.

The money will test new approaches "to programming, creative learning and talent and audience development ahead of the new performance space", ACE said.

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