ENO chief says Liverpool and Manchester ‘strong contenders’ for new home

ENO rehearsals in the London Coliseum. The Arts Council says the company must move its base outside the capital to receive public funds from 2024. Photograph: Ian West/PA

Liverpool and Manchester are “really strong contenders” to be the new home of the English National Opera (ENO), its chief executive has said, after the cultural body was forced to leave London.

Stuart Murphy, who steps down later this year, said three potential bases would be selected by the end of May and a winner chosen by the end of this year.