A BUSINESSWOMAN has unveiled plans to turn an empty Bangor nightclub into a haven for dance and circus skills.
Tracy Huckfield, 32, of Valley, hopes to attract instructors and students in the area to the Pagan’s Pole Circus and Dance Academy in the former Joop building on Bangor High Street.
“It’s something that Bangor is severely lacking, and I know from my experience as a dance instructor that hiring out church halls or whatever is not only costly, but not a safe environment to teach,” she said.
“We’ll convert the building so it’s specifically for dance.”
Joop, which was previously known as The Barrels, has been empty since it closed in August last year.
Activities would include pole dancing, street and hip-hop workshops, zumba sessions and fitness classes.
Tracy hopes to attract dance instructors from across Bangor to offer a broad range of classes.
“From the kids who want to do their ballet dancing to older people who want to do a bit of pilates, I’m hoping that there is going to be something for everybody,” she said.
Tracy currently operates Pagan’s Pole classes from the Fat Cat’s bar in Bangor, and believes that the academy would be a valuable assest to the High Street.
“Our nearest pole dancing school is in Llandudno, but our nearest circus skills classes are in Liverpool, so that alone will draw people in, and I hope that the general public can be drawn in by the dance classes, so that everyone can benefit.
She added that that the acadedmy could offer complimentary services such as sports therapy, a sun bed or a nail bar.
Tracy has submitted plans for the academy to Gwynedd Council, and a meeting of Bangor City Council on Monday backed the application.