A high-profile campaign backed by Maxine Peake  and Christopher Eccleston has saved a historic theatre from turning the lights off.

A new chapter in the rich history of Oldham's 136-year-old 'crown jewel' has just begun as campaigners have revealed the boarded-up Coliseum will have a new lease of life as it prepares to reopen the doors once again.

In a special announcement, the leader of Oldham Council, Arooj Shah, and avid campaigner at the forefront of the 'save Oldham Coliseum' campaign group, Coronation Street star, Julie Hesmondhalgh, said they are delighted to announce the beloved auditorium will be restored to its former glory - and right on time for pantomime season in 2025.

 

The doors to the Coliseum will reopen to the public next Christmas 2025The doors to the Coliseum will reopen to the public next Christmas 2025 (Image: Newsquest, Olivia Bridge)

 

Campaigners last held a panto flash mob outside the beloved theatre last yearCampaigners last held a panto flash mob outside the beloved theatre last year (Image: NQ)

The pair summarised that they felt "excited" and "emotional" to see works begin on the theatre and also thanked the hundreds of people involved in the Save Oldham Coliseum group for keeping the campaign alive and for the power in their voices combined.

In November, the group mobilised outside the auditorium in their panto gear on what would have been the return of the theatre's popular pantomime night, and paraded through the town centre with a reinvigorated cry to "save" the theatre.

Famous faces joined the fight and held banners throughout the "panto flash mob", including Julie alongside her husband and award-winning screenwriter, Ian Kershaw, theatre and opera director and Artistic Director of Feelgood Theatre Productions, Caroline Clegg and Hollyoaks actress, Annie Wallace.

Then in April this year, Save Oldham Coliseum group says it had a "triumphant" reception for its new star-studded short film.

The film, Our Sleeping Beauty, features a poetic tribute from Julie and gained more than 60,000 views in 24 hours since it went live following its private screening at Valentino's restaurant.

The film also featured a selection of well-known faces from the world of stage, film and television, including Suranne Jones, Shobna Gulati, Christopher Eccleston, and Maxine Peake - who have all backed calls to spare the theatre from permanent closure.