Former world dancing champions and current principals of an award-winning dance studio have said their move to a new venue has been "a rollercoaster". Summers In Time had been open in Nottingham city centre since the 1930s.
It was previously located above homeless charity Emmanuel House, on Goose Gate, but changes meant the charity could need that space to provide emergency accommodation. And after viewing a number of different options, 382 Gedling Road in Woodthorpe was decided.
The couple have spent around £15,000 on making the new space their own, and have had complete creative freedom to do so from their landlord. Sarah Summers said it's been a "rollercoaster" because of the excitement of moving to the new venue, but also the sadness of leaving the historic premises.
READ MORE: Sadness as Nottingham dance studio open since 1930s set to move amid changes at homeless charity
She added: "When the news first came about, we were devastated, we thought 'where are we going to go'? We started in the Woodthorpe and Arnold area 33 years ago, and we found this space.
"It was an empty shell and it was built during Covid. We thought long and hard, and from scratch, we turned this into our own studio.
"We've got everything done how we wanted it - the lighting, the floor, the mirrors, we always think if you do something, you've got to do it right. It's all gone really smoothly, everything has been done on time and to a high spec.
"A lot of people think that dance schools are very serious. But we want people to be able to enjoy themselves because that's what it's all about."
Sarah and her husband Stephen hosted a farewell party to the old studio a week before opening the new venue.
Sarah said: "We went in to the old venue last week and it's not far off being empty now, it's so sad to have a shell like that - we hand the keys back in a couple of weeks' time. That will be closure and then we move on, but we can make new memories now.
"We've very lucky in that whoever comes here is very loyal, we're like one big family and everyone mixes in. It's people of all ages as well, at our farewell do we had a three-year-old there right up to people in their 80s, and everyone had such a great time."
The studio's opening event took place on Sunday (July 2) with regular classes starting on Monday (July 3) and it's open seven days a week. Previous visitors to the former venue of Summers In Time include Diversity and Strictly Come Dancing stars, and Sarah has teased there could be some more big name collaborations in the future.
"You never know what might be coming up," said Sarah. "We had Katya Jones and Adam Peaty at the old studio before Christmas, and we've had Diversity in a few times as well.
"Nottingham pantomime at the Theatre Royal has used our space before too. Although we're not in the city centre anymore, we're not too far out, so I'm hoping big names will still want to come."
Sarah and Stephen met at the former studio and have been married for 27 years. They have won three world titles in 10 Dance, which is a competition where the couple with the highest score across all five ballroom and all five Latin dances is crowned.
Sarah said: "It was very hard work, not many professionals stick at that because of the amount of dances you have to do. Most stick to either ballroom or Latin but we said no, we're doing it.
"We've travelled all over the world and we've absolutely loved it. The best thing I've ever experienced is being on top of that podium with a flag in my hand and the national anthem playing out.
"It was magical, the best feeling ever. I felt very proud to be able to do that."
Speaking when it was announced Emmanuel House required the space in the city centre, Denis Tully, chief executive of the charity, said: "The dance school has been a part of Emmanuel House for many years and has a fantastic tradition in terms of providing a service to the community. It's got a successful history and it's regrettable that it won't be a part of the building.
"We are exploring the possibility of using the floors for emergency accommodation. The decision hasn't been made yet as we are in an exploratory stage. Our intention would be emergency accommodation if it's possible.
"There is a huge need for short-term, quick turnaround accommodation for those who find themselves homeless and need help with accommodation. The increase in the cost of living and financial pressures for families increases the risk of homelessness."
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