An empty unit in the middle of an industrial estate could be turned into a performing arts studio as a theatre company bids to take it over.
Ashford-based Blue Phoenix Performing Arts has submitted plans to open the venue, which will double up as a storage space, at the site in Ellingham Way, Ashford.
The company is an extension of Blue Phoenix Productions, which produces the town’s pantomime each year.
Currently, bosses have to rely on hiring school and village halls for classes but hope having a space of their own will help expand the number of things they can offer.
Director Paul Ketley said: “We’ve recently set up another company called Blue Phoenix Performing Arts, which is a not-for-profit organisation.
“We’ve been looking for a little while for premises around the Ashford area and what we’re hoping to do is to open it as a performing arts studio so that we can offer our youth and children work from our own premises.
“It will also be a base for Blue Phoenix Productions, and we’ll use part of the premises for storage for panto decorations, and occasionally for building the panto sets.
“But the main use will be as a studio to provide some of that youth work and run drama classes and dance classes.
“Then eventually we will try and expand that even further, so it’s not just about the performance side of the arts, but also offering opportunities in things like set design, costume design and possibly technical aspects of lighting and sound.
“We don’t have our own space at the moment – we have to hire school halls or village halls on an ad hoc basis.”
There have long been calls for Ashford to have a theatre, with residents saying the former Mecca Bingo unit in the lower high street could be an ideal space.
In February last year, multi-millionaire Paul Gregg unveiled plans for an entertainment venue at the Vicarage Lane car park, incorporating the old bingo hall and hosting West End shows, music concerts and opera.
However, the future of the ambitious scheme, known as Ashford LIVE, has been put on hold as developers are looking to “change things slightly” and focus their efforts on the boarded-up hall.
Mr Ketley hopes Blue Phoenix’s expansion could prove there is a demand for a theatre in Ashford.
“Our vision for the company is that Ashford eventually will have some sort of performance space so that we could expand and offer a lot more,” he explained.
“The reason we set the company up in the first place was to try to offer something to Ashford.
“There are lots of amateur companies in Ashford and lots of dance schools doing great work, and what we really lack is performance space, so it would be great in the future to have a space we can use to provide some enhanced arts provision in the borough.
“For us at the moment, it’s about having that base and establishing ourselves further within the local community and being able to offer what we can.
“We are fortunate we can use the Rylance Theatre at Towers School, which is great and has given us a base to grow, but having something more central and permanent could be of benefit to the whole community. “
The application for the change of use has been submitted to the council, which is expected to make a decision in November.
Once approved, the unit, which is currently a bare shell, will be split into two to make way for a workshop and storage area at one end, and a studio with space for up to 20 children at the other.
If approved, Mr Ketley hopes to have it open early next year.
In the meantime, Blue Phoenix is preparing for this year’s pantomime, Snow White, which will be held at the Ryalnce Theatre at Towers School from December 20 to January 4.
Tickets cost £17.50 for an adult and £15.50 for concessions.
