Nottingham in the running to be new home of English National Opera

The English National Opera (ENO) could be coming to Nottingham after being forced to leave its London home, according to its chief executive.

Stuart Murphy says that Nottingham is in the running to be the new ENO base, but that it is up against Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham.

A shortlist is three will be chosen by the end of this month (May) – with a winner being named by the end of the year.

Murphy told The Guardian that although Nottingham is in the running, Liverpool and Manchester are strong favourites to be the ENO’s new home.

The ENO is searching for a new HQ after Arts Council England cut its public funding in an effort to divert cash outside of the capital.

Murphy said Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Bristol had been chosen from 14 locations originally in the frame.

He added: “Manchester has loads to offer as well, as does Birmingham. Birmingham is enormous, they’re really excited for us to be there – as is Nottingham, Bristol. Extraordinary.

“The type of ENO you’d get in Manchester might be very different to the type of ENO you’d get in Birmingham or Liverpool or Bristol or Nottingham.”

Arts Council England is thought to be in favour of a move to the Midlands or North.