We have introduced a business of the week article, highlighting a local, independent business featured on our local list.

This week it is Eileen Spracklen School of Dancing, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Eileen has been teaching ballroom dancing since she was 17 and in the Dorchester for around 35 to 40 years, with her daughter, Gemma, joining her around eight years ago and it is growing from strength to strength.

Gemma said: "There was a couple who used to run a social dance on a Wednesday night and they asked mum if she would go along and do a class beforehand, because there wasn't much ballroom dancing in the area. We had 99 on our first night."

They offer classes at Herrison Hall in Charlton Down on a Thursday night, with others also taking place at the Boys Brigade hall and Stratton Village Hall. Some classes will be moved to another location due roof repairs at Herrison Hall.

Gemma added: "It's massive; every year we have huge numbers of people come through the doors.

"Before she started doing these big classes it wasn't thriving like it is now, and now there's loads of it, which is great."

Between them, the pair offer classes for beginners, improvers and intermediate adults, as well as children's classes and one to one sessions and a monthly social dance, which they hope to build back up.

Eileen Spracklen School of Dancing is also an avid fundraiser and has held a Weldmar Strictly Ballroom event in aid of the Dorchester-based hospice. The team has raised more than £85,000 for the charity and the event is making a return in 2022 at Weymouth Pavilion on November 26. Find out more here.

The pair kept busy during lockdown, with Gemma launching a new online shop called Dance Addict UK where you can get your hands on dance accessories.

To find out more about lessons available, the Strictly event and the online shop, visit dancedorchester.co.uk

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