A city dance school has finally found itself a new home having searched in vain for almost a decade.

Just Dance, the brainchild of mum-of-two Lisa Hunter, has been nurturing the talents of would-be Strictly stars for nine years but has never had a permanent home - despite an extensive search.

Norwich Evening News: Youngsters working on their routines at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYYoungsters working on their routines at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

But this will all change in January, after Miss Hunter struck up an agreement to lease a building of her own at the Norfolk Showground in Costessey.

For the past ten years she has hired out space at City Academy in Bluebell Road.

She said: "While City Academy has been wonderful to us the dream has always been to have somewhere we can call our own.

Norwich Evening News: Some of the youngsters enjoying the Just Dance School which is moving to the Norfolk Showground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYSome of the youngsters enjoying the Just Dance School which is moving to the Norfolk Showground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

"We have around 130 children ranging from four to 19 in our classes, mostly from this side of the city, so we needed to make sure we stayed nearby, which is what made the search so hard."

However, before the group can officially move in Miss Hunter is facing a lengthy and expensive refurbishment to get the place up to scratch.

Norwich Evening News: Six-year-old Willow Hall in a routine at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYSix-year-old Willow Hall in a routine at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

"The floor is concrete at the minute, which we won't be able to dance on and we need all kinds of things like mirrors and barres, so it's going to cost us thousands," she added.

"But it will mean so much to all the girls to have a place that is ours.

"Not having to hire somewhere will get rid of so many little stresses - we don't have to worry if the classes overrun by a few minutes, we'll have somewhere to store our equipment, everything will just be a little easier."

Norwich Evening News: Stretching at the bar before they dance at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYStretching at the bar before they dance at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

She added: "For the girls, it will mean so much to have a sign over the door with our name in and their own little sense of identity."

The 40-year-old has turned to Go Fund Me in the hope of raising enough to support the move, while the group's annual Christmas show and raffle will also support the campaign.

Norwich Evening News: Youngsters working on their routines at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYYoungsters working on their routines at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Tickets for the show, on Saturday, December 18 at the Hewett School, can be bought via the Stage Stubs website.

To support the campaign, visit Miss Hunter's Go Fund Me page.

Norwich Evening News: Lisa Hunter, owner and teacher, leads the dance routine at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYLisa Hunter, owner and teacher, leads the dance routine at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Norwich Evening News: Youngsters at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYYoungsters at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Norwich Evening News: Lisa Hunter, owner and teacher, leads the dance routine at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYLisa Hunter, owner and teacher, leads the dance routine at the Just Dance School. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

A Showground playlist

As the name suggests, the Norfolk Showground is best known for hosting the Royal Norfolk Show.

With this annual agricultural extravaganza in mind, here is a playlist the girls might consider getting into the grove with once the big move goes ahead.

  • I Like to Moo-ve it - Real 2 Real
  • The Combine Harvester - The Wurzels
  • Dark Horse - Katy Perry
  • Who Let The Hogs Out? - The Baha Men
  • Purple Grain - Prince
  • Can't Get You Out of My Shed - Kylie Minogue
  • All Together Now - The Farm