Dancia International

TOP DANCEWEAR STORE FOR READING

28th January 2010

DANCIA INTERNATIONAL, the UK’s premier high street dancewear retailer has launched a new shop in Caversham, Reading. The new branch, which offers an unrivalled selection of shoes and specialist dancewear to dance and fitness enthusiasts in the Reading area, opened its doors to customers in January.

Dancia originated in Brighton in 1947 when it became the first specialist dancewear shop to open outside London. The present owners, Tim and Diane Kirkup, purchased the business in 1983 and have since developed it substantially. Sixty years on, Dancia has the largest network of high street dancewear shops in the UK, and is the only dance shop franchise business in the country, allowing people to become their own boss in this growth market.

With an enviable reputation for high quality products, outstanding service and in-depth knowledge of ‘everything dance’, Dancia International is proudly at the forefront of the dancewear industry, supplying top West End Shows, professional dance companies, and prestigious training schools internationally.

In addition to traditional dance clothing and footwear, the Dancia merchandise range has been broadened to include an impressive range of shoes for Latin, ballroom, salsa, jive and Argentine tango. Dancia International is also the sole UK distributor for revolutionary pointe shoe and dancewear makers Gaynor Minden whose shoes and garments are frequently worn by some of the world’s most celebrated dancers at over 200 major professional dance companies worldwide.

Diane Kirkup, Director of Dancia International, said, “Reading was an obvious choice for the expansion of our network, as the town did not have a high street dancewear store despite an incredibly vibrant dance scene. Our shops are an “Aladdin’s cave” for dance and fitness enthusiasts of all ages, who know they will find everything they need, whether they’re just starting their first lesson or have been dancing for years. We’re delighted to be to supplying Reading’s dancers with regulation leotards, tights, crossovers, bags and accessories, not to mention shoes for all styles of dancing including ballet, tap, street, Latin and ballroom."

Jude Chapman, proprietor of Dancia Reading, is very excited about her new branch. “Dancia fills a longstanding gap in the market, and I know that people will travel to Caversham from all over Reading for our distinctive own-label garments, as well as those by leading brands such as Grishko, Papillon, Bloch, Capezio and Freed. My shop also offers the only fully authorised fitting service for Gaynor Minden pointe shoes in the area.

“The grand opening was a huge success, the shop was packed out for most of the day. It was a real indication there is a strong demand for a dance shop within the community.

“We are working very closely with dance groups across the Reading area and it was great to see so many of them at the opening.

“Caversham has a fantastic array of shops, cafes and restaurants, with ample parking facilities, and I hope that our customers from further afield will make the most of what the area has to offer during their visits to Dancia.”

Dancia International Reading, located at 36-38 Prospect St, Caversham, Reading, is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5.30pm and on Saturdays from 9.30am to 5pm.

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Further Information

Franchise Information

BFA Membership Status

UK Years Established
8 years

Current UK Coverage
10%

Franchisee Support Staff
6

Personal Investment Req.
£40,000

Total Startup Cost
£40,000

Why Choose Us?

What Our Franchisees Say

Latest Case Study

13th April 2010
Franchise Case Study with Jude Chapman, Reading

Latest News

9th June 2010
Murder on the Dance Floor?