Oldham’s Liberal Democrat councillors have set out proposals that could save Oldham Coliseum in the lead up to Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council’s final meeting before the May, 2024 local elections.
Their vastly experienced Leader, who is also presently Leader of the Opposition in Oldham, Cllr Howard Sykes MBE says:
“Since the Coliseum announced that it would have to close its doors, the public support for the Theatre has been phenomenal. Oldham residents, theatregoers from across the country, as well as some of the biggest names in UK performing arts are united by a desire to save the Oldham Coliseum; and keep it on Fairbottom Street where it belongs.”
“Despite a decade of failure from the Council, the Government and Arts Council England (ACE), Liberal Democrats still believe it is possible to bring the Fairbottom Street building back into use. That’s why we’re bringing a motion to Oldham Council on the 13th of this month which will, if the vote is favourable, commit the Council to reallocating funds and making the necessary investigations so that the Oldham Coliseum can stay in its home.”
In their motion, the Liberal Democrats have set out how the closure of the much-loved venue signifies a serious failure by all parties involved, with the withdrawal of ACE funding – and the failure to secure the long-term future of the site, despite missed opportunities linked with town centre regeneration projects.
Cllr Sykes, a former Leader of the Council and widely regarded as a voice of reason, adds:
“The Coliseum is an Oldham treasure. The Council has not done all in its power to protect it.”
“In September 2023, despite the then leadership of our Council publicly stating otherwise, a study commissioned by the Coliseum Board concluded that the Fairbottom Street building is not beyond repair and could be used again.”
“It is possible for the Labour administration to reallocate funds from other town centre regeneration projects which are already connected with the future of Oldham Coliseum. Doing this would bring forward the funds needed to make the repairs needed at the Fairbottom Street site.”
“It’s a political choice to allow the Fairbottom Street site to remain closed. It is for the ruling Labour Group to decide if they will back our proposals or stay the course with their various town centre spending plans at the expense of Oldham Coliseum.”
This is the LibDem motion set out in full:
“Full Council 13/03/2024 – Notice of Opposition Business
Liberal Democrat Group Motion: Save Oldham Coliseum
Proposed by: Cllr Garth Harkness
Seconded by: Cllr Hazel Gloster
This Council believes:
Oldham Coliseum Theatre was a treasured local asset that has drawn audiences from across the country to Fairbottom Street for more than 135 years. Its productions have put Oldham on the map and brought acclaim from across the UK’s arts and culture sector. For many years, the Coliseum has been one of only a handful of producing theatres outside of London, providing a platform for the development of new work.
The closure of its Fairbottom Street home signifies a serious failure by all parties involved, with the withdrawal of ACE funding – and the failure to secure the long-term future of the site, despite missed opportunities linked with town centre regeneration projects.
This Council notes that:
Since the Coliseum announced that it would close in March 2023, the public support for the Theatre has been phenomenal. Oldham residents, theatregoers from across the country, as well as some of the biggest names in UK performing arts are united by a desire to resolve the difficulties facing the Oldham Coliseum; and keep it on Fairbottom Street where it belongs.
In September 2023, despite the then leadership of this Council publicly stating otherwise, a study commissioned by the Coliseum Board concluded that the Fairbottom Street building is not beyond repair and could be used again and brought up to a modern standard with the appropriate investment.
Investing in the Fairbottom building could be a much more cost-effective proposal freeing up millions for other projects and much needed regeneration.
This Council resolves to:
1) Examine the feasibility of refurbishing and investing into the Fairbottom Street building.
2) Explore funding streams that could help finance the redevelopment of the existing venue, including the reallocation of funds from other initiatives linked with the future of Oldham Coliseum.
3) Bring a report to cabinet as soon as possible outlining the steps that this Council can take to support the Oldham Coliseum Theatre to remain at home, on Fairbottom Street, which would also help regenerate that part of Oldham town centre and Yorkshire Street.
Next Wednesday’s Full Council meeting promises to be even more torrid than usual; with scenes of public disorder expected yet again, both in the galleries and on the floor of the civic chamber, as elected Members debate not only this motion but other decisions that are challenged by either other Opposition parties or local activists (or both): Notably, the no -confidence motion put forward by the local Conservatives (read more here) and the forensic de-construction of the Labour administration stance on the controversial Places for Everyone housing plans by Save Greater Manchester Green Belt (read more here).
At the heart of all three of those motions lie serious questions about the integrity and capacity to make cogent, well-reasoned decisions, of the present Council Leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, and, of course, her fitness to continue in that role in Oldham whilst, behind the scenes, she seeks high office in national politics.
Page last updated: Friday 8th March 2024 at 0625 hours
Thank you for reading and a polite request: If you feel this article is of value and in the public interest, and wish to make a contribution to the running costs of this website, it would be very much appreciated. Donations can made securely (and anonymously if required), via Buy Me A Coffee at this link or via PayPal at this link.
Corrections: Please let me know if there is a mistake in this article. I will endeavour to correct it as soon as possible.
Picture credit: Oldham LibDems/Oldham Coliseum
Right of reply: If you are mentioned in this article and disagree with it, please let me have your comments. Provided your response is not defamatory it will be added to the article.
© Neil Wilby 2015-2024. Unauthorised use, or reproduction, of the material contained in this article, without permission from the author, is strictly prohibited. Extracts from, and links to, the article (or blog) may be used, provided that credit is given to Neil Wilby Media, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Neil Wilby Media 
Leave a comment