Arts Council not to blame for demise of Oldham Coliseum

Arts Council England has come in for serious criticism over its National Portfolio decisions, drawing the ire of creatives and politicians alike. A number of historic institutions are currently facing existential threat as a result of their funding being cut. And the government quango is getting the lion's share of the blame.

For its part, ACE has accepted some of the stick. Earlier this month, in response to the backlash, the organisation's Chair Nicolas Serota conceded that they “didn't get everything right”. But the demise of Oldham Coliseum, which is scheduled to close permanently on 31 March if no resolution is found, is not entirely ACE's fault.

High risk investment

ACE was presented with an application for funding from an esteemed theatre organisation – one that arguably deserves to exist and thrive. But the 135-year old building that houses it – owned by Oldham Borough Council – is riddled with asbestos and is nigh-on falling down. ACE said that if it had approved the application it would have been the most “high risk” investment in its 990-organisation portfolio. 

The fact that something had to be done has been abundantly clear for some considerable time. Proposals for a new home in Oldham for the Coliseum have been in circulation for the last decade, but scant progress has been made. Not for lack of trying on ACE’s part though. Back in 2016 it offered a grant of £7m to Oldham Council towards a £27m project to create a modern 550-seat venue, which was ditched in 2018 after being deemed "too expensive". 

Just this week, Oldham Council announced it is "recommitting" itself to the latest incarnation of the plans – originally announced in October 2019 – for a £24.5m 350-seat venue that will be ready by 2026. It is a project that both the Coliseum and ACE have been pushing for. But it is likely to be too late to save the beating heart of the Coliseum, the people who produce and perform for the community.

Why the delay?

Questions surely need to be asked as to why the plans for the new home were allowed to drift for so long, and whether Oldham Council was diligent in its duty in respect of culture provision for the town. But for ACE, deciding not to invest in an organisation that will have no viable home for at least three years, is perhaps understandable.

The main focus now must be on how the £1.85m that ACE has earmarked to Oldham Council for arts provision in the town is spent, and whether the Coliseum can exist in some form until such time that a building that will likely bear its name finally comes to fruition.