Dance school’s plans to create new studio in section of former store

Plans have been lodged to turn part of a North-east shop into a dance school.

Taylor School of Dance wants to occupy a section of the former Kelly of Cults store on North Deeside Road, now operated by Sainsbury’s.

It comes a year after the store was leased out by the Kelly family to the major supermarket chain.

Kelly of Cults closed its doors in May last year after more than 110 years in business at the Cults site.

Now it’s hoped a 15-year lease for the dance school can be secured if planning approval is granted.

If approved, the proposals will include a main dance studio as well as two smaller studio rooms for one-to-one sessions.

A statement on behalf of the dance company said the development would significantly help them if the scheme is given the green light.

It said: “Historically, the site was owned and operated by the local business, Kelly of Cults, providing a grocery and convenience store, and latterly a cake shop.

“The administrative offices for Kelly of Cults were housed in the first floor property at the west end of the site.

“More recently, the Kelly family have ceased trading as a store, and leased the bulk of the site to Sainsbury’s for the provision of a Sainsbury’s local store.

“The upper floors of the east end of the site are used as administrative facilities for Sainsbury’s.

“The remaining area comprises the current Kelly of Cults office, albeit mostly disused.

“During the fit out works by Sainsbury’s, the west end office was reinstated to its original configuration as a self-contained unit.”

The statement added: “Taylor School of Dance currently operates leasing studio space from busy council run community centres.

“Spaces at such facilities are limited, and our client has a requirement for a larger facility for their exclusive use which will allow the school to grow while also cutting running costs.”

The planned dance facility will be for school-age children to use.