Whitworth dance school has new premises

Mayor Alan Neal opening the new Samba Dance and Fitness premises

Mayor Alan Neal cut the ribbon for the opening of the new Samba Dance and Fitness new premises on Market Street, Whitworth.

Samantha Clarke, owner and teacher of Samba Dance and Fitness said: "I began in January 1999 teaching classes every Wednesday night above the Whitworth Reform club on Market Street, less than two years later I moved my business to a small unit on Tong lane, then onto a larger school with two studios just off Station Road, Facit where our school grew and grew over the last 11 years.

"My husband and I have been looking to buy our own premises, having had my business in Whitworth for 19 years, I needed to stay here, and my husband Gareth, who has his own Electrical engineering business was also expanding and needed his own unit. 

"In September 2017 a place came available and was perfect to house both our business and also move the dance school to a central location and make it a lot bigger.

"We now have three studios, a large reception, a car park and disabled facilities. We teach everything from freestyle, streetdance, cheerleading, drama, tap and ballet, Latin and ballroom.

"We also teach a wide range of fitness classes, including boogie bounce which we were the first ever school in the area to start four years ago. Our school and classes have gone from strength to strength, with a staff of nine, from teachers to receptionist, we couldn't have asked for a better place to set up our new home.

"This is something I have always dreamed of having, a home to call our own, a safe place to nurture all of our rising stars of the future. I am immensely proud of what my husband and I have achieved and cant wait to offer even more to the local community. Without the people of Whitworth, coming to my classes from 19 years ago, I wouldn't be where we are today, so thank you to you all for your continued support in allowing my business to grow and become the place it is today."