Oldham Theatre Project - Preliminary Market Engagement Only

This project is to transform three historic buildings into a new and innovative theatre in Oldham town centre. This will replace the aging Coliseum Theatre as the town's space for live performance and will provide a broader and more relevant programme of events and productions aimed to better meet the needs and interests of Oldham's residents. The new Oldham Theatre site is located in the heart of Oldham's developing cultural quarter, with aspects onto Union Street and Greaves Street. The space itself will be located on Greaves Street on the site of a former museum between the Post Office building to the north, which faces onto Union Street, a former Quaker Meeting House to the south. This presents an exciting opportunity to engage and collaborate with the surrounding cultural centres, as well as the ability to spill out onto and activate the public gardens. The core components of the redeveloped Oldham Theatre are;

A welcoming main entrance and foyer. An auditorium with capacity of up to 300 (in end-on configuration). A dedicated and high specification studio, with average capacity of 120. Flexible education and community space. A vibrant main café / bar space - the Garden Room - intended to become a destination for Oldham as a whole, not only theatre visitors. Comfortable, efficient and accessible back of house, dressing room and green room facilities. Meeting and administrative spaces for Coliseum staff.

Oldham Council are undertaking this preliminary market engagement to inform a procurement and delivery strategy. The preliminary market engagement is being carried out under the provisions of Regulations 40 and 41 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/102).

The primary objectives of this preliminary market engagement are to:

Inform the market of the upcoming opportunity. ensure that the requirements are correctly aligned with current and best practice and are proven and affordable. gain insight and feedback on delivery strategy. gain insight and feedback on commercial and contracting strategy. Use the information gathered to inform the tender documentation in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/102).

Additional information: Please go to https://procontract.due-north.com/ and search for DN672493 for further information and to access a questionnaire that is required to be completed and returned prior to 18th September 2023.