A KINGSCLERE dance school could be forced to shut its doors as the council prepares to sell off the building it runs from.

JLD School of Dancing, which has more than 200 pupils in a range of dance styles, is based at 24 Swan Street Kingsclere, which is owned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

As reported in Newbury Today, the council has put the property up for sale, with the view of it being turned into a residential flats.

At a meeting of Kingsclere Parish Council last month, the leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Cllr kKen Rhatigan, who is also ward councillor for the village, said that the building has been running at a loss for the past 20 years.

Meeting minutes documented that members “expressed concerns regarding support for the longstanding successful business that will be impacted by 24 Swan Street being sold”.

They continued: “In addition, the parking problems in the village will be made worse, as parking will no longer be available at 24 Swan Street.”

It had previously been agreed that the parish council would make an argument to the borough council that the sale “would be in breach of its policies regarding arts and business enhancement”.

However, this was rejected, with the borough council claiming the venue had to be considered as part of the council’s property portfolio.

The dance school is now in negotiations with the council over the option of buying the building at a market value of approximately £500,000.

JLD School of Dancing was founded in 1991 and teaches ballet, modern, jazz, tap and musical theatre to both young people and adults.

It now has a second dance school in Viables, Basingstoke.