Stars open ballroom
A ballroom which attracted crowds of dancers from across the West Midlands for more than 50 years has reopened after £50,000 of work with a sell-out grand gala event.
Around 400 people flocked through the doors of the Aquarius in Hednesford last night after it had stood empty for eight months.
Stars of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing Flavia and Vincent reopened the ballroom.
Flavia, aged 28, said: "At the moment there's generally a lack of halls like this, many end up demolished and flats are built in their place. The more we can do to try and save them the better."
The pair also revealed they have signed for another series of the hit show in September.
People of all ages took to the dance floor at the Aquarius last night and music was provided by David and Sylvia Webster who have danced at the ballroom since they were teenagers.
Mr Webster, 64, said: "Losing the Aquarius was really like losing a part of your life. Nowhere locally competes with it and to have it back is wonderful."
Many guests revealed they had feared they would never dance on the sprung wooden floor at the Aquarius again.
But Giraffe Leisure Ltd took on the lease in January and directors Gav McCaughey and Ron Bridgewater were delighted to see so many people turn up.
Mr Bridgewater, who is from Hednesford, said: "It's stood empty for far too long and it's now somewhere for the people of Hednesford to go and enjoy themselves."
Extensive repairs were needed after it closed and the building is earmarked for demolition as part of long-term plans for the town. But it has been repaired and redecorated with a seating area revamp and the stage curtains replaced.
Kate Chater, 68, from Wolverhampton, was among those at last night's opening and said it was wonderful to have the ballroom back.
She said: "I was here the night it closed and honestly didn't think we would be able to come back."
