Petition to Save the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham

Stop the demolition of the Queen Elizabeth Hall and protect one of Oldham’s most important community venues.

Oldham Council has decided to close and demolish the Queen Elizabeth Hall, replacing it with a housing development. The Council states that The Loom is a like-for-like replacement, but this is simply not the case.

The Queen Elizabeth Hall has served the people of Oldham since the 1970s and has been at the heart of our town for decades. It has welcomed generations of residents through dance shows, dance competitions, pantomimes, concerts, comedy shows, conferences, charity events, weddings, community gatherings and walking groups.

The hall was purpose-built for large events and offers facilities that The Loom simply cannot provide.

The facts speak for themselves

Queen Elizabeth Hall

* Up to 1,500 people standing
* Up to 1,200 people seated
* Over 15,000 square feet
* Large permanent stage
* Three large bars
* Dedicated foyer with box office and cloakroom
* Lift access throughout
* Its own pay-and-display car park
* Purpose-built auditorium designed for large-scale performances

The Loom

* 1,000 people standing
* 700 people seated
* Maximum dining capacity of 500
* One event room that can be divided into smaller spaces

These figures clearly show that The Loom is not a like-for-like replacement. It has a considerably smaller capacity and does not offer the same purpose-built theatre facilities that the Queen Elizabeth Hall has provided for decades.

Safety concerns

Many local dance schools stage productions involving hundreds of children.

At the Queen Elizabeth Hall, performers, parents and audiences benefited from a venue designed specifically for large performances.

At The Loom:

* Ground-floor toilets are shared with members of the public using Tommyfield Indoor Market.
* Other toilets are located on the third floor, where children would also be changing before performances.
* Parents and organisers have genuine concerns that this layout is less practical and less secure for children during large productions.

Accessibility for everyone

The Queen Elizabeth Hall was designed for large audiences, with lift access, spacious foyers and a dedicated car park.

Many elderly residents attending walking groups and other community events have already found The Loom more difficult to access. These groups play an important role in reducing loneliness and keeping older residents active, and they deserve facilities that are easy to reach and comfortable to use.

More than just a building

The Queen Elizabeth Hall has hosted:

* Children’s Christmas dance shows
* Dance competitions
* Pantomimes
* Concerts
* Comedy performances
* Charity fundraisers
* Conferences
* Weddings
* Community groups
* Walking groups and social clubs

Thousands of local people have performed on its stage, celebrated milestones and created lifelong memories there.

As far as the public is aware, the building has not been closed because it is structurally unsafe. It was continuing to host successful events before it was shut. Demolishing such an important community asset to build a relatively small housing development would permanently remove one of the few large entertainment venues remaining in Oldham.

We call on Oldham Council to:

* Halt the demolition of the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
* Carry out a full public consultation.
* Publish the evidence showing why demolition is necessary.
* Explore refurbishment or alternative uses before destroying a much-loved public venue.
* Acknowledge that The Loom is not a like-for-like replacement in terms of capacity, layout, accessibility or suitability for major performances.

Oldham has already lost many of its historic and cultural buildings. The Queen Elizabeth Hall is one of the last major entertainment venues in the town centre. Once it’s gone, it can never be replaced.

This isn’t just about saving a building – it’s about protecting Oldham’s culture, heritage and community for future generations. We ask Oldham Council to listen to residents, performers, families, community groups and local businesses before making an irreversible decision.

Please sign this petition and help save the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Together, we can show that Oldham deserves better than losing another valued community landmark.