'Chips, gravy and opera': How Londoners and the rest of the country reacted to the English National Opera's move up North

News that the globally-renowned opera company will make Greater Manchester its 'main home' saw some strange responses

Plans to move the English National Opera (ENO) to the North of England have been warmly welcomed in Greater Manchester which will become the 'main home' for the cultural institution. But the news, which was announced on Tuesday (December 5), was met with some strange responses from the rest of the country on social media - including from some angry Londoners.

It comes just a year after the globally-renowned company campaigned against a decision by Arts Council England to slash its funding unless it moves out the capital. At the time, the ENO's bosses said a mooted move to Manchester was 'just not doable'.

But after striking a two-year funding deal worth £24m with the public body, the organisation says it can gradually make the move up North while still putting on a 'substantial' annual season at its current home in London's West End. The ENO, which is currently considering slimming down its orchestra due to funding cuts, says Greater Manchester will be its 'main home' by 2029.

READ MORE: Why the English National Opera is moving here - and what it means for Greater Manchester

READ MORE: Today's top Manchester Evening News stories

The opera company has confirmed to the M.E.N. that it will not be based at a specific location in the city-region. Instead, it will put on performances at existing venues in Greater Manchester including The Lowry and Factory International's Aviva Studios.

Joining mayor Andy Burnham, local venues and arts organisations have welcomed the prospect of working with the national institution. But commenting on social media, some people were not so pleased about the ENO moving to Greater Manchester.

Tom Bridges from Yorkshire posted a thread on X, formerly known as Twitter, which highlights ‘some incredible takes from Londoners’ on the ENO move. In one post, JennXLDN suggested people of the North may not be able to afford opera tickets.

“This is the end of ENO," she wrote. "Are there that many opera lovers in Manchester with the money to afford tickets compared to London?”

Richard Pew, whose location is listed as Birmingham, quipped: "Chips, Gravy & Opera - sounds like a winner to me . . ."

Meanwhile, Michael SW, wrote: "Vandals. Short-sighted, unimaginative, ideological vandals. Decimating London and the UK for no reason whatsoever. Pathetic."

elsie added: "the eno moving to manchester is a f***ing joke I'm not about to be paying £200 for a train ticket to get up there when i can simply just go to the royal opera house i just feel so bad for everyone who's about to be uprooted in this move."

And on the subject of trains, Dr Chris Dexter-Mills #FBPPR responded to the ENO's announcement saying,: "You will have heard, no doubt @E_N_O about the rail services (existing/planned/cancelled) to, from and around Manchester… Good luck!"

In another response on X, Fraser., posted: "Manchester already has Opera North. The whole reason Opera North was created was as a representation of English National Opera for the North of England. This is so stupid. London needs ENO."

Responding to the news, Opera North said it looks forward to 'continuing to work closely with ENO' to offer a 'coordinated programme of opera for audiences'. The Leeds-based company confirmed it will continue to perform in Greater Manchester, adding: "We’re hungry to collaborate with ENO and other arts organisations to make sure that music reaches as many children and young people as possible and to use public funds as effectively and efficiently as we can for the benefit of all."

Also responding to the news, performers and entertainment trade union Equity said it is 'completely unclear' what the move means for the ENO's workforce. A restructure, which could see the chorus and orchestra slimmed down and members moved to part-time contracts, is currently under way. The ENO says a 'reduced' annual season at the London Coliseum will continue.