ACE grants three year extension for ENO relocation

Arts Council England (ACE) has extended the deadline for English National Opera (ENO) to move its headquarters out of London by three years from March 2026 to March 2029.

A joint statement from the two parties, released today (27 July), says the additional three years “will mean more stability, allow for consultation with staff, more work in London and more time for the ENO to develop partnerships in the new city and to establish a programme there”.

It also confirms ENO expects to announce the new city that will host its headquarters by December this year.

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The announcement comes shortly after the publication of a study by global consultancy firm PwC which warned of “potential pathways of economic harm”, including lower audience numbers, reduced income and possible closure, if the opera is to relocate.

Meanwhile, ACE has confirmed it will be investing £35.46m in the ENO between 2023 and 2026.

The investment is made up of a £11.46m grant for 2023-24 agreed in January and, conditional on the ENO producing a revised and agreed business plan, a further £24m between 2024 and 2026, that was first announced in April.

ACE and ENO’s latest statement says the £24m investment will see the opera “deliver a substantial opera season every year in London while developing a significant performance and engagement programme in their new city”.

It adds both parties share ambition for the opera house to be in a strong position to apply for ACE’s next national portfolio of funded organisations from 2026.

‘Unwavering’ support

ACE Chair, Sir Nicholas Serota, says the additional two-year investment comes after ENO presented “inspiring ideas to bring their excellent work to people beyond the capital and to explore a range of new ways of presenting opera”.

He added the extended timeline for their transition to a new main base “will enable the ENO to undertake this complex move and to develop partnerships in the new city”.

“The Arts Council’s support for opera is unwavering, and we are excited by the ENO’s new plans and by the enthusiasm shown by the potential host cities.”

Dr Harry Brünjes, ENO Chair, commented the opera house is “pleased that ACE supports the artistic plans we have proposed in tandem with our longstanding wish to engage with new audiences and partners around the country”.

“We welcome this investment and additional time which we believe will help us to successfully develop a new main base out of London, whilst maintaining a season at the London Coliseum.”

The agreement between the two parties has also been welcomed by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer: “ I look forward to seeing the plan as it develops to make sure more people across the country can experience its fantastic work,” she said.