Historic theatre's reopening delayed until 2026

Actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, pictured with Arooj Shah when the reopening was announced, was among those campaigning to save the theatre

A historic theatre which is being refurbished after a long campaign to save it will not reopen in time for the 2025 panto season as planned, a council has confirmed.

Oldham's Coliseum theatre is undergoing a £10m revamp and was due to throw open its doors again in December.

Coronation Street actor Julie Hesmondhalgh was among those who joined the campaign to save the 135-year-old venue after the Arts Council withdrew funding in March 2023.

But Oldham Council has now said unexpected extra work could delay the reopening until well into 2026.

However, Hesmondhalgh, a member of the Friends of the Coliseum group, said the group was "relieved and happy" with the postponement as it would give them more chance to prepare.

"Better to return with a beautiful, bold and glittering bang than do something half-baked in a building that isn't yet ready," she said.

Actor Julie Hesmondhalgh is a leading member of the Friends of Oldham Coliseum

Arts Council England withdrew funding for the theatre on Fairbottom Street amid concerns over the theatre's management.

But after the campaign it U-turned on its plans to replace it with a brand new building and pledged a £10m spend to reopen the Coliseum.

Contractors Tilbury Douglas started work on the theatre earlier this year.

More work to remove asbestos from the walls and roof has led to the postponement, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The venue is currently undergoing a £10m refurbishment

Council leader Arooj Shah said: "It's disappointing not to be reopening for Panto 2025 as it's such a special part of Oldham's festive season, but unexpected bumps in the road often happen with a project of this scale.

"Rather than rush to open before the building is ready, our decision to extend the construction period gives us the time needed to get the details absolutely right."

Seats were removed from the stalls after the theatre shut in April 2023

Martina Murphy, CEO of the the Coliseum production house, said she was "gutted" by the delay, but was confident the theatre would be "back with a bang" in 2026.

Oldham Coliseum's production house will still be putting on shows around the area in the meantime.