Today, the English National Opera (ENO) has announced they have been awarded a £24 million grant and given more time to plan their move from out of London to a new home.
The company is expected to move to a new city by March 2029, and Liverpool is one of five locations still in the running to be the base for this highly treasured institution.
Following the news that the ENO will announce the new location in December, Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram have issued the below joint statement welcoming the extension of the consultation period and the continued ambition to bring opera to the city.
“English National Opera’s (ENO) relocation is an enormous decision. Over the past few months, dozens of highly skilled, exceptionally talented people’s futures have been debated in front of the watching world and we know it must be an extraordinarily difficult and uncertain time for them and their loved ones – which is why it is only right that the period of consultation with staff has been extended.
“Wherever the ENO next calls home, it should be about choosing the place that offers the best fit for the opera to thrive with a long-term, successful future – it is not a decision that should be rushed or taken lightly. However, if there is one thing we know for certain, it is that, should we be chosen, everyone associated with the ENO would be welcomed to Liverpool with open arms as one of our own.
“Naturally, we believe that we have set out the strongest, most sustainable case that would allow the company to flourish as it enters its next chapter. While the honour of hosting ENO’s new headquarters is not yet within our grasp – we firmly believe it is a prize worth waiting for and we will continue to work with the Arts Council and the ENO in our drive to bring opera to our residents.”
Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram
