The Mancunian Way: Oldham’s ‘worst-kept secret'

Hello,

Last year, Oldhamers took to the streets to mourn the loss of the town’s theatre, the Oldham Coliseum, after it was forced to close down due to a lack of funding.

But 14 months later they’re back on the streets for a different reason. The beloved theatre has been saved, with money allocated to building a new arts venue now going back into the Coliseum.

Actors, writers, councillors, residents, dancers and youth group volunteers gathered for a ‘summer street party’ on Fairbottom Street yesterday (Monday), to hear what has been called ‘Oldham’s worst-kept secret’.

Tearing up as she spoke, actor and campaigner Julie Hesmondhalgh said: “I have the huge honour to tell you that Oldham Coliseum, Fairbottom Street, will be open for the panto in 2025 - and for hundreds of years to come.”

The decision to save the venue was actually made weeks ago - but nothing could be announced until now. This is due to purdah, which restricts what governments - and local councils - can announce in the run up to any election.

But yesterday it was revealed that the council has secured a £10m investment to refurbish and reopen the theatre at the Fairbottom site.

Hesmondhalgh said: “I think this is a huge step in the right direction. Not just for the art and culture in town but across the board because any Northern town needs a heart at the centre of it.”

The news has been celebrated by locals and professionals alike. Clara Darcy, Eastenders and Hollyoaks actor, said she had her first professional job at the Coliseum in 2007.

She said: “What’s really brilliant about the Coliseum is that it gives opportunities to local actors and writers. It’s always had a tradition of employing Oldham people.”

Clara said she was delighted. “I was part of the last closing show here,” she added.“When the curtain came down it was so heartbreaking, there was just silence on both sides because I think people were still in shock.”

You can read more about the future of the Oldham Coliseum here.

Andy Burnham goes to Downing Street

On the new Labour government’s first Monday in charge, local leaders from around the country were invited to Downing Street to discuss devolution with the new PM.

Among them, of course, was Andy Burnham. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he said he used the meeting to make the case for building more council housing, fixing the railways and boosting technical education.

The Greater Manchester mayor said he hopes the city-region will achieve its plans faster under this government - but he promised to hold his party to its promises. You can read more about what was said here.

The worrying surge in Greater Manchester

Almost 800 suspected cases of measles have been recorded in Greater Manchester since the start of an nationwide outbreak last October, new figures reveal.

The startling surge comes as England is facing its biggest measles outbreak in more than a decade.

There have been a total of 791 suspected cases across Greater Manchester - with more in Manchester than any of the region's nine other local authority areas, the statistics show. Read the full analysis here.

A Manchester favourite expands

A beloved Ancoats bakery has expanded to a new Northern Quarter site, much to the delight of its many fans.

The light and airy space just down from Stevenson Square, with its glass-fronted windows, open baking area and shaping table, is all about giving loyal customers - and those yet to try the bakery - a chance to see their bakers at action.

You’ll find me in line for this one, as in my opinion Companio’s vegan pain au chocolat is unparalleled. You can read more here.

Stockport turns Hollywood

A Stockport street has been transformed into Dublin and New York as filming starts for a new Netflix show.

The town’s Underbanks is being used as part of the set for House of Guinness, a new series about the Guinness family and the aftermath of the death of the founder Benjamin Guinness.

Fabulous pictures from the set show how the Underbank area of Stockport has been meticulously redesigned to resemble the 19th century period. You can see them here.

Weather etc

Wednesday: Cloudy changing to light rain in the afternoon. 17C.

Flights: Cancellations to Aer Lingus flights to and from Manchester Airport between the 30th of June and the 10th of July due to industrial action.

Manchester headlines

• Jay Slater: Police in Spain have insisted they have not given up hope of finding missing Jay Slater in a new update. More here.

• Courts: A big-time drug dealer has been jailed after a simple police visit to a butcher's shop unmasked him. More here.

• Crash death: A coroner has ordered GMP to hand over CCTV and body cam footage ahead of an inquest into the death of a young woman following a police chase. More here.

Worth a read

An inquest has resumed into the death Nosheen Akhtar, also known as Sarah Hussain, who died after suffering horrific burns at her home in East Street, Bury.

Minutes after his wife ran into the street on fire, Waqas Mahmood phoned his ex-partner and told her: "I'm going to get done for manslaughter", the inquest heard. You can read more here.