Dance school aims to waltz in and transform closed Stourbridge church
A landmark church that has stood empty since closing a year ago is in line to be given a new lease of life.
St John’s United Reformed Church in Stourbridge went on the market in May after it shut following its final service on New Year’s Day 2017.
Dance company, Danse Vivante, has since registered interest in the site, but the ‘for sale’ signs remain outside the building in Vauxhall Road, just off the busy ring road.
However, Pippa Coley, who has trained with the dance academy for four years, said that they still had high hopes for the future of the building.
She said: “We are still interested in it and at the minute we are going through the board of commissioners for the final decision.
“It is a long process, but they are keeping us informed. We have high hopes for the future for it.”
The group, if successful, would keep the Grade-II listed building intact but make minor alterations inside.
Hundreds of signatures were gathered on a petition to save the building, launched just a day after for sale boards went up.
Danse Vivante offer more than 40 weekly classes across three Birmingham, Sandwell and Dudley locations.
It is currently based in Halesowen.
On the group’s plans for the site, Ms Coley said: “The roof needs fixing but we have plans to make the inside usable for lots of different places.
"Groups such as Slimming World are also up for getting involved – we want it to be a real hub. It is incredibly exciting and the perfect building for us to expand and bring to life for all the community.
“The church is really local to us as we are based in Halesowen. We have the funds but now we need the support and awareness and the backing of the community.”
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, who represents the Wollaston and Stourbridge Town ward, hopes the site would have a ‘long and successful’ life ahead.
He said: “This is great news that the building will be utilised for the purpose of a business. It’s a good boost for the town centre as a whole too.
“A lot of the time these buildings may be converted into accommodation, so it is great that they [the group] are thinking differently about utilising it.
“I am hopeful that this will attract others to join forces and then it may have a better chance of taking off in the area.
“I can see this having a long and successful life ahead.”
