A theatre in Oldham has said it will try to thrive under the 'difficult circumstances' that lie ahead now that a major source of its revenue has been suddenly axed.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre which has been at the heart of Oldham since 1885 and is the last surviving professional theatre in the borough was one of hundreds of listed National Portfolio Organisations by Arts Council England (ACE) to have its status and funds suddenly stripped from it.

In Oldham, it was the only one to lose its NPO status while some others gained.

READ MORE: How Oldham fared in the arts and culture 'levelling up' funds

ACE made several controversial moves in its recent NPO funding announcement on Friday, and despite Oldham Coliseum Theatre receiving financial support from ACE for decades, it now faces a rocky road ahead.

The theatre had applied for £615,182 a year to see it through 2023 to 2026, totalling £1,845,546 for the period.

The Coliseum was in receipt of £4,843,651 in ACE funds between 2015 and 2022.

As a result, the theatre said its current business model is reliant on this funding and it is now having to look "at how it will move forward" while its executive and senior management teams are working on it "as a matter of urgency".

The Fairbottom Street theatre is also one of only 32 regularly producing theatres in the country and last week said it was "disappointed" by the decision.

It pointed out that as Oldham has been identified as a 'levelling up for culture' place of interest, it hoped it would continue to be supported by ACE.

Artistic director Chris Lawson said: "We are determined to continue delivering our programme of shows, learning and opportunities as much as possible and we are surveying the options available to us.

"Our sincere thanks go to our peers, artists that we have worked with from across the UK and further afield and our amazing audiences for their very vocal support.

"Rest assured that we'll do everything we can to help the Coliseum thrive even under the most difficult of circumstances."

Oldham Coliseum Theatre is preparing to open its pantomime Robin Hood, with tickets going on sale on Saturday, November 12.

Mr Lawson said the pantomime is "the highlight of the year" and is encouraging residents to "spend a few hours with us this festive season and celebrate the Coliseum's phenomenal contribution to Oldham and the wider theatre ecology".

Chief Executive Susan Wildman also asked people and businesses to continue supporting the theatre.

She added: "The theatre remains sincerely grateful for the support of Oldham Council, all its funders, sponsors, partners, and of course audiences and participants, particularly given the current financial climate and the pressures facing everyone in the UK at this time.”

Cllr Elaine Taylor, Oldham Council's Cabinet member for culture and leisure, also said the council would work with the coliseum to "try and secure its legacy".