Building construction work

Tender description

The project encompasses the re-use and extension of an existing former library building and the construction of a new linked theatre for cultural uses, incorporating a theatre with a Heritage Centre and associated public realm works. The project is a collaboration between the Oldham Coliseum Theatre (OCT) and the Arts & Heritage Services of Oldham Council. It will extend Oldham's cultural quarter, bringing together the producing theatre, young people's theatre, community arts development, art gallery, heritage collections, and local studies in a single linked complex combining a new build and a conversion of a much loved but currently empty Victorian library, linked via a bridge with Gallery Oldham and public space in the Library Gardens. At the core of the project is a new build theatre to replace the Fairbottom Street building which has long been acknowledged as inadequate in terms of technical capacity and audience facilities. The Coliseum Theatre's front-of-house, education and administration activity will also be housed in the old Library, with the auditorium as a new build on an adjacent car park. A Heritage Centre will be will be created from, a redeveloped and extended Library building containing a vibrant, multi purpose, multi disciplinary and cultural facility housing the borough's local studies, archives, museum, arts and heritage learning, all currently run by the Council's heritage service from 6 buildings in various locations across the town. The former Library building, which is the building to be brought into use through this project, is Grade II listed.