Oldham's Queen Elizabeth Hall closes after 40 years of events
Oldham's Queen Elizabeth Hall is closing in 2026 after 40 years of hosting youth music performances, concerts, pantos, elections and community events. The venue, part of the Civic Centre built in 1962 and extended in 1977, was officially opened by the Queen Mother. Famous acts including Iron Maiden, Madness, The Kinks and Inspiral Carpets performed there. The hall hosted Oldham's Christmas and Easter pantomimes during the Coliseum Theatre's refurbishment, amateur boxing, snooker including Steve Davis's first televised maximum break in 1982, and served as the town's election count venue. Civic functions have moved to the JR Clynes building while The Loom, a new multi-purpose venue, has opened. Plans announced last year will demolish the brutalist building to make way for over 800 new homes as part of Oldham's regeneration plans.