Darwen dance school moves to new premises (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Darwen dance school moves to new premises
3:48pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News
By Dan Clough, Reporter
Vicky Rothwell with other teaching staff (back from left) Florentin Boudjeko (salsa); Jane Ashurst (yoga); Louisa Ferguson (tap); Whitney Harrison (ballet); Becky Smoth (street dance) and centre Lynn Bretana (receptionist)
A DANCE school has moved into a former Darwen function room.
The owner of Dance Crazy Theatre School, Vicky Rothwell, has bought Craiglands in Watery Lane.
She has used the move to expand the school and create Darwen Arts Centre, a separate entity to the theatre school.
Dance Crazy Theatre School was previously based above M and Ms in Duckworth Street but Miss Rothwell said it had outgrown its surroundings.
She said: “We had been at our previous base for three years but we have evolved since then.
“We started with just a couple of kids but I now have between 150 and 175 people between the ages of two and 70 using the dance school.”
Craiglands had been closed for some time but Miss Rothwell, who is also a town councillor for Whitehall, said it was perfect for the school.
She said: “It had been dormant for about 18 months, I think, and it was a mess.
“Upstairs was derelict with the floorboards up and the walls were down to the bricks.
“But now it looks like a ballet studio.
“Downstairs, we have painted and renovated but we are still fundraising for a new floor.
“So far it has probably cost about £8,000 in renovations, but the new floor will cost about £4,000.” The arts centre will host a range of activites, including martial arts, crafts, music and yoga.
The bar has also been retained so the building can still be used to host functions such as birthday parties.
Five members of staff have been taken on since the new facility opened.
Miss Rothwell said she was looking for a new martial arts instructor.
Anyone interested can call 07852 156651.
