Oldham Council have announced the appointment of Tilbury Douglas to lead on the refurbishment of the Oldham Coliseum building, taking the much-loved theatre another step closer to re-opening. 

The contractor is already transforming the historic Old Library in Oldham and will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to breathe new life into the renowned Fairbottom Street theatre.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “I’m so excited for the future of Oldham Coliseum - this is a huge milestone. Tilbury Douglas have a fantastic track record of delivering amazing buildings in our borough and I have no doubt that they will do the same for the Coliseum."

With preparatory works almost complete, Oldham Council will now work in partnership with Tilbury Douglas to draw up detailed plans for the restoration and refurbishment. The council has committed £10 million to the project, supported by £6.1m from the Towns Fund and the remainder from Oldham Council's regeneration budget.

Phil Shaw, Managing Director - North at Tilbury Douglas, said: "Building on our collaborative work with Oldham Council to transform the historic Old Library, we are excited to bring our expertise to the refurbishment of the Coliseum. This project reflects our strategic focus on creating spaces that enrich communities, supporting Oldham's cultural ambitions while preserving its heritage."

Martina Murphy, Chair of Oldham Coliseum Theatre Ltd, said: "What a journey the last few years have been and to see the theatre in Fairbottom Street being brought back to life. Like so many of us in Oldham, Oldham Coliseum Theatre was my first experience of theatre and it's truly exciting that future generations of Oldhamers will be able to do the same.

"People living in our town deserve to see their stories reflected on and off the stage and we're honoured to be working with such supportive partners and funders, as we continue to reimagine theatre in Oldham and its potential to help regenerate the town centre and reach more people than ever before."

Actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, a leading member of the Friends of Oldham Coliseum, said: “This is amazing news which I know will bring huge excitement to people across the UK. That is the significance of Oldham Coliseum - it’s not just a theatre in Oldham - it’s a place of history, memories and huge pride. Many people have performed in this beautiful space - from Charlie Chaplin to Ralph Fiennes, from Sian Phillips to Barbara Knox, and hundreds of people started their career here, bringing great joy to audiences for over a century, and countless employment opportunities, both on and off stage.”

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Since the Fairbottom Street venue closed in 2023 we've be producing an exciting series of theatre events across Oldham, including THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY, our newly announced show that will take place at Queen Elizabeth Hall in February 2025.