Ballroom on way back

The lease for Hednesford's boarded-up Aquarius ballroom has been signed at last, paving the way for work to start on getting it ready to reopen.

Giraffe Leisure Ltd signed the lease for the venue yesterday. The ballroom is owned by Cannock Chase District Council.

The deal was originally set to be sealed last Thursday but it had to be delayed as bosses of Giraffe Leisure Ltd were not able to attend and the date had to be rearranged.

District council spokesman Tom Hobbins said he could not say when the firm was hoping to reopen the venue's doors but confirmed that the lease was signed yesterday.

Hednesford Councillor Ron Turville said: "Residents have been asking for the Aquarius to reopen for a long time but I really want to know what the terms are and what they have planned.

"I just hope they are still going to host ballroom dancing and the other things that were so popular, because that is what people have called for, and I'll certainly have something to say about it if not," Councillor Turville added.

The Aquarius attracted dancers from miles around for more than 50 years but closed its doors last summer because no-one was lined up to take on the lease when the previous management retired.