Arts Council England have approved a grant worth £7.1m towards building a new Coliseum Theatre in Oldham's budding Cultural Quarter.
Alongside a future fundraising contribution agreed with Oldham Coliseum Theatre, this now triggers the green light for it to move from its Fairbottom Street home to a new state-of-the-art facility including a 550-seat main auditorium and a 170-seat studio theatre with improved front-of-house facilities.
The new-build project will be a central part of Oldham's Cultural Quarter. The Coliseum Theatre will be linked with a new Heritage and Arts Centre, Gallery Oldham, Library and Lifelong Learning centre.
All are sited at a prominent town centre gateway and just yards from the Oldham Central Metrolink stop.
The new theatre will be next to the Grade-II listed Victorian library building, which is to house the Heritage and Arts Centre, showcasing the story of Oldham's past from its time as the cotton spinning capital of the world to the present day.
This is all part of a four-stage Cultural Regeneration Programme plan over 10 years
Alison Clark, Director North, Arts Council England said: “We are delighted to have made such a major investment in the future of cultural life in Oldham.
Mecanoo are the project architects and Work is anticipated to start in April 2018 with completion in 2020.
