DANCE4, relocation to new premises in Nottingham. Nottingham City Council developed a proposal to refurbish a semi-derelict factory in the Sneinton area of the city for creative industries use and Dance4, whose own major capital project had been shelved two years earlier for lack of funding, agreed to take 800m2 of space as an anchor tenant. The City Council works were undertaken by Wates from October 2014 with handover to Dance4 in March 2016. Following fit-out works, the company moved in in May.
The accommodation comprises three fully equipped dance studios with sprung floors, changing facilities, small foyer areas, offices and a meeting room. One studio is equipped with a simple truss grid and sound, lighting and video equipment to enable performances to be presented; one had a hardwood floor and is dedicated to research and development, allowing companies to explore ideas; the third is the community space, with mirrors and ballet barres. The fit-out works comprised technical installations in the studios and various elements of bespoke joinery.
I initially worked with Dance 4 putting together their application to the Arts Council’s Small Capital Grant scheme in December 2013 and when this was successful, I was asked to see the project through as Project Manager. I was responsible for all aspects of the project including legal, procurement, financial and liaising with NCC and Wates.