Students have been helping to shape plans for a new theatre in the borough that is set to be a ‘key part of Oldham’s cultural quarter’.

The theatre located in the borough’s heritage buildings on Union Street will provide a new home for the Oldham Coliseum Theatre and additional creative arts and performance spaces.

Pupils from Burnley Brow Community School in Chadderton, and students from Oldham College, were invited to put their stamp on the plans at workshops with the Coliseum and architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios).

The architects also visited neighbouring Millbrook Primary in Stalybridge, to get feedback from the school’s Year 6 class.

At Burnley Brow, pupils aged 10 and 11, shared their thoughts and ideas on designs for the new venue and at Oldham College more than 50 performing arts students discussed how theatres can become more accessible for everyone in the community.

The Oldham Times: Image by Oldham Council Image by Oldham Council (Image: Image by Oldham Council)

Pupils from Burnley Brow Community School with their theatre designs. 

Simon Branson, partner at FCBStudios said: “The new theatre will be a key part of Oldham’s cultural quarter and will shape the creative output of the area.

"The workshops were lively and full of the kind of insight that will help us to shape the spaces and facilities that will serve the next generation of theatre-goers, writers, actors and producers."

Olivia Race, head of learning and engagement at Oldham Coliseum, added: “Through our comprehensive programme of work with local schools the Coliseum gives ownership of the theatre to young people from across the borough to share a lifelong love of the arts.”

As a historic building, the Oldham Coliseum Theatre is structurally nearing the end of its lifespan.

The new theatre will be built within the redeveloped Old Post Office at 84 Union Street, where Oldham Local Studies and Archives is currently based, and the former Quaker Meeting House on Greaves Street, which is currently home to Oldham Theatre Workshop.

Oldham Local Studies will relocate to a new public archive, which is being built within Spindles Town Square, and the Oldham Theatre Workshop will move to the Old Library, which is currently undergoing a major restoration to bring it back into public use.

Oldham Council leader, Amanda Chadderton, said: “We want our new theatre to be enjoyed by all ages – and it’s so important to always listen to the views of our young residents."

She added: “These young people are the future of our borough, and we are delighted to put them at the heart of this project.”