Please sign our petition

The future of the Royal Opera House has been put in doubt following a planning application by property developer Oakmayne. The company has submitted plans for an abattoir on the Covent Garden site which, if built, would sit opposite the Royal Opera House building and could pose a significant threat to the theatre's entertainment license. Oakmayne's attitude towards preserving the longevity of the theatre is perhaps best summed up by a comment from its chairman, Christopher Allen, who when questioned gave his opinion that "opera houses come and go".

We, the undersigned, disagree with you Christopher. And we refuse to just sit idly by and let this happen. The Royal Opera is not just a theatre. Millions of people have passed through our doors over the 180 years we have been open. 300,000 people visit us annually, bringing trade to Covent Garden and the surrounding area. We have always strived to create the moments that people live for, and we will continue to do so. We are the people that come here, the people that work here, the music that is played here and the lifelong bonds that are made here. If we lose the Royal Opera House, we are losing a vital piece of culture in this country. Theatres may have existed before Royal Opera House, but they were never the same afterwards.

Please sign our petition if you oppose Oakmayne’s planning application.