Coliseum update shares workers still finding 'pockets of asbestos'

Construction workers at Oldham Coliseum are still finding asbestos in the historic theatre as the £10m refurbishment continues, with the reopening date pushed back indefinitely. The 140-year-old venue closed in 2023 when the Arts Council pulled funding over financial mismanagement and structural issues, sparking a community campaign to save the beloved Panto destination.

Contractors Tilbury Douglas are working through the building 'stripped back to a shell,' discovering asbestos in pockets throughout the structure-a common issue in buildings constructed before 2000 when the material was widely used. Site manager Billy McNicholas explained that special enclosures with air vents are being used to safely remove the hazardous material, which can cause fatal lung diseases.

The extensive renovation follows a successful campaign led by actor Julie Hesmondhalgh and local campaigners who rejected a £25m plan to replace the Coliseum with a new cultural centre. Instead, Oldham Council agreed to fund the refurbishment, though the complex work has delayed the original target of reopening for Panto Season 2025.

While the Fairbottom Street theatre remains closed, the Coliseum continues producing shows across the borough at venues like Whittles and George Street Chapel. Council officials say they're focused on getting the building right rather than rushing, but haven't provided a new timeline for when audiences can return to the historic venue that has served Oldham's working-class community for generations.