Fleetwood theatre centre celebrates reopening as dance schools get the green light

The news was welcomed by Fleetwood-based Barbara Jackson Theatre Arts Centre, which had been operating online during the lockdown.

The school's six studios at Farmer Parr's are sanitised, safe and ready to go - and Principal Lorraine Hill was thrilled to be able to welcome back her students.

"It's the news we've all been waiting for, we can't wait to welcome our students and younger pupils back for their dance lessons," Lorraine said.

"It's a shame it's taken so long, as we have so much space and our studios are incredibly safe.

"But now we are focusing on giving a sense of normality back to the children we teach, they need it after so long away from their friends and their dancing."

The theatre centre teaches over 300 children from all over Lancashire, with some pupils as young as two years old.

All types of dance and theatre arts are taught at the centre, from ballet, tap and modern to musical theatre and singing.

The lockdown had been a difficult and worrying time for businesses in the arts and culture sector, and Lorraine was concerned that Zoom classes would result in some children "falling out of love with dancing."

But now they will be able to continue lessons in "bubbles" of 15 children safely, with two exits in each studio allowing for plenty of social distancing space.

"We're all so excited and we've got everything in place to get back on track," Lorraine continued.

"We've been inspected by a health and safety officer and he's given us a Covid-secure certificate.

"We're going to be following the same rules schools will, to keep everyone safe and allow them to carry on doing what they love."