A DANCE club that has graced the town for more than 60 years could close if plans to shut down two community centres in Basingstoke go ahead. 

Sapphire Sequence Dance Club (SSDC), a mainstay in Basingstoke since 1954, faces closure after Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) begins to decide whether proposals to shut down both the Irish Community Centre (ICC) and Basingstoke Carnival Hall Community Centre (BCHCC) will go ahead.

Under BDBC’s new Top of The Town redevelopment plans, the two centres could see their homes demolished and eventually share one building.
Bernard Williams, chairman of SSDC for 58 years, fears for the future of the club, which offers older people the chance to get active, learn new dances and catch up with friends.

“There is a real threat to us,” Mr Williams, 89, said.

“There isn’t a hall anywhere the size of BCHCC for us so the club could be closed down which is a shame because it’s been running since 1954.

“We have been in BCHCC since 1990.”

Mr Williams added: “Places like BCHCC and their facilities, there aren’t many of them around and not one for the size of our club.

“It’s a bad situation for the ICC as well and they shouldn’t try to amalgamate the two. They both have different ways of running so I think it’s a very hard situation for everyone involved.”

A petition has been set up to save both centres which can be signed online or by visiting either ICC or BCHCC. 

Campaigners are urging residents to also contact their local councillor to show their support for the centres.

Cllr Paul Harvey, Basingstoke’s Labour leader, said: “This would be a huge blow to a group, which is another example of a group of people that use BCHCC and is important to Basingstoke.

“It is clear the importance of keeping groups like SSDC open and also keeping open both halls which are successful.”

Last month BDBC’s cabinet member for communities and community safety, Cllr Simon Bound, said: “We are carrying out a review of these two ageing facilities in the town centre that are in need of repair.

“The review is at a very early stage and involves discussing possibilities with the management committees and looking at different options for the future.”

A meeting will be held to determine the centres’ futures next Wednesday.

Sign the petition here.