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Oldham wins funds to develop new heritage centre and theatre Oldham wins funds to develop new heritage centre and theatre
(5 months later)
Oldham has won initial Heritage Lottery funding for its proposed new Heritage Centre and Coliseum Theatre which would complete what the council describes as the 'town jewels.'Oldham has won initial Heritage Lottery funding for its proposed new Heritage Centre and Coliseum Theatre which would complete what the council describes as the 'town jewels.'
The Heritage Lottery Fund has approved £615,000 to pay for developing the Heritage Centre part of the proposal, which would adapt the old library and art gallery on Union Street to stand alongside Gallery Oldham, the Library and Lifelong Learning Centre.The Heritage Lottery Fund has approved £615,000 to pay for developing the Heritage Centre part of the proposal, which would adapt the old library and art gallery on Union Street to stand alongside Gallery Oldham, the Library and Lifelong Learning Centre.
The council will then submit a second bid for a total grant of £3,900,000 to carry out the work and make real the architects' impressions shown here. The money would go on restoring the grade 2-listed Victorian building, and creating new space and extra room for the civic museum's rich collections and a local studies and archives centre.The council will then submit a second bid for a total grant of £3,900,000 to carry out the work and make real the architects' impressions shown here. The money would go on restoring the grade 2-listed Victorian building, and creating new space and extra room for the civic museum's rich collections and a local studies and archives centre.
The town's rich history includes specialised textiles, long-celebrated by a large sign on the old Mumps bridge welcoming visitors to 'Oldham, the home of the tubular bandage'. Oldham and District hospital hospital made international headlines in 1978 when doctor Patrick Steptoe oversaw the birth of the world's first 'test tube' baby, Louise Brown.The town's rich history includes specialised textiles, long-celebrated by a large sign on the old Mumps bridge welcoming visitors to 'Oldham, the home of the tubular bandage'. Oldham and District hospital hospital made international headlines in 1978 when doctor Patrick Steptoe oversaw the birth of the world's first 'test tube' baby, Louise Brown.
The Coliseum part of the plan is the subject of a second bid to Arts Council England which is expected to make a decision in January. The concept is an entirely new theatre on the current car park site in Southgate Street, using the new Heritage Centre for front-of-house, admin and education work.The Coliseum part of the plan is the subject of a second bid to Arts Council England which is expected to make a decision in January. The concept is an entirely new theatre on the current car park site in Southgate Street, using the new Heritage Centre for front-of-house, admin and education work.
Oldham has a marvellous position on a ledge of the Pennines, looking out over Manchester towards Liverpool and the Irish Sea. The council's Labour leader Jim McMahon says:Oldham has a marvellous position on a ledge of the Pennines, looking out over Manchester towards Liverpool and the Irish Sea. The council's Labour leader Jim McMahon says:
This scheme respects our heritage but also looks to the future. Heritage is the foundation stone from which we rebuild Oldham and this is an important part of our plans. It shows that we are gaining real momentum. We are also planning street art and other features, but the Oldham Heritage Centre – where we tell and celebrate the history of our Borough – is absolutely central. This scheme respects our heritage but also looks to the future. Heritage is the foundation stone from which we rebuild Oldham and this is an important part of our plans. It shows that we are gaining real momentum. We are also planning street art and other features, but the Oldham Heritage Centre – where we tell and celebrate the history of our Borough – is absolutely central. 
The wider regeneration scheme we're planning here is inspiring because it will bring all our cultural jewels together. It's a perfect location on the Metrolink line and offers huge potential benefits for local residents, businesses and visitors alike.The wider regeneration scheme we're planning here is inspiring because it will bring all our cultural jewels together. It's a perfect location on the Metrolink line and offers huge potential benefits for local residents, businesses and visitors alike.

The final element of the plan is for the Old Town Hall to become a cinema with restaurants and cafes. McMahon says:
The final element of the plan is for the Old Town Hall to become a cinema with restaurants and cafes. McMahon says:
Oldham Council is deadly serious about providing facilities that attract a new kind of visitor here – and inspire a greater sense of pride in our town centre.Oldham Council is deadly serious about providing facilities that attract a new kind of visitor here – and inspire a greater sense of pride in our town centre.

Sara Hilton, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the north west, says:
Sara Hilton, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the north west, says:
Oldham has a fascinating industrial past and these innovative plans for a heritage resource centre will help bring that story to a whole new audience.Oldham has a fascinating industrial past and these innovative plans for a heritage resource centre will help bring that story to a whole new audience.
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