Listed mill becomes dance group’s home
A DANCER has helped renovate a derelict building to allow her to teach a new class of eager children.
The Grade II-listed Norwich Mill has been out of use since 2011 but now Nikki Wilkinson hopes to breath new life into the historic building.
She took on a unit in the mill, off Durham Street, on July 1 and within a week, she had the space ready to open the Legacy Dance Academy.
“It has been a lot of hard work and a lot of late nights,” she said.
“But it is going to be 100 per cent worth it for what it has given the kids, I have kids coming to the studio that haven’t danced before and a lot that have, but every single one is absolutely loving it.
“It is so rewarding to see the smiles on their face as they leave the studio, and some never want to leave.”
Having started dancing at a young age, Nikki competed as a freestyle dancer and later went on to assist in classes at the age of 14. Once she turned 16, she began teaching dance classes and private lessons.
The dancer developed a love of working with children, and this led her to a Primary Teaching degree at Edge Hill University.
Legacy Dance Academy offers a variety of classes, ranging from as young as two to some 90s pop and fitness classes for adults.
The mill’s renovation comes as 70 new homes are to be built next to it in a new development approved by Rochdale Council. The red-brick building, which dates back to around 1860, was originally used for cotton spinning and weaving and is the last remaining building on the site.
Nikki added: “Legacy Dance Academy is all about positivity and giving children somewhere to go and dreams to aim for.
“I’m so happy to be bringing a new business into Rochdale and hope to be a part of Rochdale’s business future and community for a very long time.”