'Upset' families protest against sale of Redditch dance studio

Redditch Borough Council resolved to sell the existing Community House building on Easemore Road to eventually make way for homes.

The venue is home to several charities and Gemini Dance Studio, which claim they were not told about the council’s plans to sell up.

They also claim when deciding on the plans, members were provided with a report that contained inaccuracies.

• 'Shocked and appalled' at plans to sell off Community House, Redditch

However, a spokesperson for Redditch Borough Council said officers are preparing “an additional briefing note which will detail the timelines of discussions held between all parties involved in this process” which had taken place in advance of the decision.

Tens of angry families protested outside a full council meeting on July 25, demanding councillors to re-think their decision.

The sale of Community House was not tabled to be discussed at the meeting, but the dance studio hoped claims of inaccurate information would be enough for the topic to be debated.

Cllr Bill Hartnett raised the issue but was told by Kevin Dicks, chief executive of the council he was investigating the timeline.

Gemini Dance Studio.

Representatives from Gemini Dance Studio who sat in the public gallery chanted ‘do not mess with GDS’ and a meeting adjournment was called.

After the meeting, Cllr Bill Hartnett said "As chair of Overview and Scrutiny committee I led a thorough scrutiny of the report on Community House.

“There was a lack of clear information and we agreed on a cross-party recommendation to defer the decision.”

Gemini Dance Studio.

Samantha Williams, principal of Gemini Dance Studio said they were all shocked to hear about Redditch Borough Council’s plans as it’s been their home for 35 years.

She said: “We provide a service to everyone who wants to dance, and hundreds of families turn up every week to attend some of our 18 classes.”

The group has danced at the World Championships and British Championships in Blackpool and won various trophies at competitions.

Samantha added: “The building is not in a state of repair. It’s all lies.”

Many parents have contacted the Advertiser, concerned for the future of the dance school.

Trustees of Community House.

Neal Stote’s eight-year-old daughter Rose has attended the dance studio for six years.

He said: “Children were crying at the council meeting as it’s their home and for many of the children it’s been their home for many years.

“If they are going to make a decision that is going to affect so many people, it must be based on facts.

“The council should stop progress on it until the facts are there.

“The studio is a safe space where children can engage in dance - it’s a lovely community.”

Georgina Burnside has attended Gemini Dance Studio for 14 years and now at the age of 22 is qualifying to be a dance teacher.

She said: “It’s just heart-breaking to think that Samantha and her partner Neil have got the dance school to the stage they have and now the building will no longer exist.

“It’s not just a dance school or a building it’s more than that.”

Nicola Ward travels from Birmingham so her 14-year-old daughter Chloe can attend the studio several times a week.

“We are all one big family and support each other.

“The children are all like brothers and sisters and they spend time with each other out of the classes as well.

“We hope something will get sorted and we don’t lose our dance school.”

A Redditch Borough Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the Community House Building and associated land at Easemore Road were declared surplus to council requirements at the meeting of the Executive held on July 12 and that it will now be sold at market value.

“Lead Officers are currently preparing an additional briefing note which will detail the timelines of discussions held between all parties involved in this process, including council officers, tenants with temporary leases, the Voluntary Community Sector groups and other users of Community House which had taken place in advance of the decision”