Royal Opera House shelves move North
Plans for a £100m Royal Opera House North in Manchester have been put on hold following cuts in art funding.
Arts Council England announced it would be reducing its funding from April next year. As part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, Arts Council England will implement a 29.6% cut to its budget over the next four years.
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: "Manchester City Council and Royal Opera House remain committed to establishing a production base for the Royal Opera House in Manchester – working with our regional partner organisations, The Lowry and Opera North – at the appropriate time. When the economic climate becomes clearer we will be in a position to discuss timescales. In the meantime we continue to work together on a number of regional projects."
ROH planned to install a Northern outpost in the Palace Theatre on Oxford Street in Manchester city centre. The building was being lined up for refurbishment to house ROH and the Royal Ballet.
