English National Opera plans to open its doors - quite literally - to a wider audience.

The company is in discussions with planners to make the entrance to its grand Coliseum building more welcoming after visitors said they found the Grade I-listed front doors too “excluding”.

Under one proposal, inner glass doors would be installed, allowing the wooden doors to be propped open all day.

That would hide the “finely executed decorative woodwork” noted by Historic England, but would entice passers-by to a new gift shop and cafe which have been installed in the foyer but cannot be seen from the pavement when the doors are closed.

The imposing doors have been in place since 1904, when architect Frank Matcham unveiled the building in Covent Garden, and cannot be replaced due to their listed status.

Stuart Murphy, who was appointed as ENO chief executive a year ago and wants to bring in a more diverse audience, said the decision was take in response to a visitor survey.