The refurbishment of Oldham's Coliseum Theatre will cost £17 million after widespread toxic asbestos and major structural issues were discovered during invasive surveys. The project, initially budgeted at £10 million, has seen an additional £7 million allocated to address the unforeseen problems, pushing the reopening back by a year to 2027.
Discovery of Asbestos and Structural Defects
The theatre, located on Fairbottom Street in Greater Manchester, has been closed since 2023. Invasive surveys, which involved knocking into walls, revealed a previously unknown basement beneath the entrance foyer, structural defects under one staircase, and far more extensive asbestos contamination than initially anticipated. The building's age and its location near Yorkshire Street, a key road in Oldham, have complicated the refurbishment.
Matthew Bulmer, project director for Oldham Council, said: “You would expect to find asbestos in a building of this age but there is more of it and it’s more widespread than we would have liked.” He noted that the full extent of materials like asbestos, found inside walls, could not be known until more invasive work began.
Funding and Timeline
The extra £7 million comes from grant funding allocated to the local authority and is part of a contingency fund for cost overruns. No money will come from Oldham Council’s budget, and no additional costs will be passed to council taxpayers. Despite no political leadership in place due to an ongoing stalemate, political leaders unanimously supported the additional funding.
If the funding had not been approved, work would have had to stop. However, Bulmer said the council is moving forward at pace, adding: “The people of Oldham stood up and said we want it and the council stood behind them. With a project like this, there are bumps in the road but we will get it done.” A new roof has already been fitted, and scaffolding remains around the building.
Impact on Operations and Community
While the theatre is closed, operators Oldham Coliseum Theatre Limited have continued to stage events across the borough. After Arts Council England withdrew annual funding in 2022, the theatre faced potential closure and had only one staff member. Now, with a larger team, including newly hired creative director Nick Bagnall (formerly of Liverpool's Everyman), the company hopes to bid for future funding.
Martina Murphy, CEO, said: “By the time the doors are open, we will be fully operational to give the people of Oldham what they deserve.” She emphasised the theatre's role as a cultural hub, stating: “The Oldham Coliseum is more than a building. It’s where generations of people have discovered theatre, laughed together and created lasting memories.”
