On Saturday 20 April, Blue Butterfly Dance Studio at the Swan Centre, Eastleigh opened its doors to the community.  Hundreds of children and families turned out to watch the Mayor cut the ribbon and officially declare the studio open.  

The Studio is the culmination of years of work by Amy Fern, owner of Blue Butterfly Dance School and will be a community hub for dance, fitness and wellbeing in Eastleigh. The Studio will host Amy’s Blue Butterfly Dance classes, as well as be a place for community groups to gather. Amy’s mission is to involve as many people from the local area as possible and provide a place where young and old can meet friends and stay active. Amy is hoping to run some dance workshops for children with additional needs, as well as an afternoon tea dances for the elderly in the town.  

The Studio will have space to hire, as well as a coffee shop and beauty salon; called Blue Butterfly Beauty, that will do hair, nails and treatments.  

Amy sees the opening of Blue Butterfly Studio as the start of a new chapter in her dance school, as is very excited about what the future will hold. “The Swan Centre, is the ideal location for the Studio, as it is the heart of Eastleigh, and I want the Studio to be part of that, by being a place for everyone. I want Blue Butterfly Studio to be a diverse, fun and empowering place, and I can’t wait to get the people of Eastleigh through our doors.’  

Ellandi contacted Dame Darcey Bussell DBC, one of Britain’s famous ballerinas and who recently stepped down as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing after seven years is a fan, she confirmed “I am passionate about getting all people moving through dance fitness and this community hub initiative in Eastleigh is a great example of making the benefits of being active even more accessible to everyone of all ages, levels and abilities.”          

Alex Brooker, Asset Management Director, is delighted that the Swan Centre has been instrumental in promoting the benefits with exercise with this new initiative.  “One of our most recently surveys carried out from 9500 visitors to our shopping centres show that 85% visit with friends and family.  Health and wellness offerings bring local communities together and create a real sense of community in the heart of our town centres.  This initiative is breathing in new life to the Swan Centre – dwell time has increased and the whole community is supporting this new tenant”