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Fury as council carpet over dancefloors
TOWN hall chiefs were today accused of being out of step after carpeting over dance floors to comply with health and safety rules.
Groups of elderly folk who regularly took a spin around the town's community centres have had to find alternative venues after traditional parquet floors were replaced with carpet.
The changes are intended to prevent falls – but it means dancing is now out of the question because people cannot slide their feet to the music.
Community centres at Spencer Court on Talbot Road and Ibbison Court on Central Drive are among those affected.
Coun Doreen Holt, who runs social activities at Ibbison Court, said: "It's madness. They said that if they didn't put carpet down and someone fell, they would get sued.
"But since 1973 when the centre opened no-one has ever fallen on it.
Spills
"I think elderly people are more likely to trip over carpet or rugs. The dancers have had to pack up and move, which is a real shame.
"It's also going to be much more difficult to clean when we have children in, or if an elderly person spills a cup of tea."
Coun Ivan Taylor, whose ward includes Spencer Court, said: "On the one hand we've got the health people saying dancing is good for older people because it keeps them fit, and on the other hand health and safety are saying it's dangerous and you could fall over.
"There's never been an accident that I know of.
"They have been dancing there for 20 years."
Kathy Young, who ran the dance class at Spencer Court, said they regularly attracted up to 20 dancers.
She said: "It's very good exercise and social interaction, but we can't do it any more because you can't dance on the carpet and it's very hard to move all the chairs out of the way.
"People are having to go to other venues instead."
Coun Val Haines described the decision to put carpet down as "stupid".
She said: "All the dancers have packed up because they can't slide their feet. How much money are we spending on stupid ideas like this?"
The floors have been changed by Blackpool Coastal Housing, which is responsible for the sheltered housing schemes attached to the community centres.
The cost of upgrading Blackpool's 16 community centres to meet Disability Discrimination Act rules was 250,000 but that included other work to install disabled toilets, ramps and new entrances.
Blackpool Coastal Housing chief executive Peter Jefferson said: "We were required by law to carry out a risk assessment of all our community centres.
"In this assessment it was identified that we needed new flooring to fall in line with Disability Discrimination Act requirements.
"After consultation with local residents it was decided that carpet was the best option.
"We realise this change hasn't pleased everyone and we are trying to rectify some of the problems including the difficulty in moving chairs.
"Although carpet is not ideal for dancing, it is perfect for karate and other exercise classes where a slippery floor would be dangerous.
"It's difficult to keep everyone happy but we will listens to any concerns and see what we can to help.
"We're trying to make centres as welcoming as possible to all residents and the majority of people are happy with the changes we have made."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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