March date for the Aquarius

The date for the Aquarius ballroom in Hednesford to be reopened has been announced, with bosses vowing it will host ballroom dancing.

Giraffe Leisure Ltd has issued a lengthy statement regarding its plans for the currently boarded-up facility for the first time since taking on the lease.

It said extensive work was needed to get the building ready to open again but stressed work had already started.

It is estimated work would take around six weeks to complete. A proposed opening date has been set for March 3 and an event is being planned for it.

The Aquarius, owned by Cannock Chase District Council, has been closed since July last year when its previous management retired and nobody was lined up to take over.

It came as a blow to the town as the much-loved venue's ballroom dancing sessions drew in crowds from around the Midlands.

People in Hednesford had called for more information about what was planned for the Aquarius now new managers had been appointed and wanted to know what was taking place behind the building's closed doors.

The statement issued by Giraffe Leisure Ltd said it had signed a three-year lease for the Aquarius, in Victoria Street, and was keen to get into the venue to start work before Christmas but legalities of the lease had taken longer than expected.

It said a catalogue of work was needed to get the building ready.

It said: "We are happy to announce that the venue will still be committed to a variety of ballroom dance programmes and we intend to reinstate many day time classes as well as regular social evenings.

"However, we also realise that the venue needs to be opened up to other areas of the community, and we will be releasing a programme of events shortly."

Groups or societies interested in using the main ballroom space or two other spacious suites for meetings should e-mail info@aquariusballroom.co.uk

By Michelle Pearson