Oldham Coliseum's much-publicised reopening, announced last year after it had closed seemingly permanently in March 2023, has now been put back to 2026.
A major part of the announcement in July 2024 was that it would be open in time to restore its annual panto, of which it has always been proud, but the theatre has said that more time is needed for the construction work necessary for it to reopen.
Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said, "it's disappointing not to be reopening the Fairbottom Street building for panto 2025 as it's such a special part of Oldham's festive season, but unexpected bumps in the road often happen with a project of this scale."
Actor Julie Hesmondhalgh and her writer husband Ian Kershaw were leading figures in the campaign to get the theatre reopened. She said, “The Friends of the Coliseum are relieved and happy that plans to mount the Coli panto this year have been put on hold. Better to return with a beautiful, bold and glittering bang than do something half-baked in a building that isn’t yet ready.
“We’re excited for the future, and will be a key part in taking Oldham audiences with us, through a series of films and podcasts which will follow and share progress of the building, as well as interviewing key players in the reopening.
“We are grateful as ever to Oldham Council for listening to the experts in the field.”