Expanding performing arts school sings the praises of new Morpeth premises

A North East performing arts school is ‘dancing with delight’ after securing new premises in a Northumberland town to accommodate growth and development plans.

The Cowell Academy of Stage and Television (CAST.), which provides dance, gymnastics, singing and acting training for young people, has taken 2,238 sq ft of first floor space above the Sainsbury’s convenience store on Shields Road in Morpeth, as part of a 5-year deal brokered by retail property specialists @retail.

The move provides “much needed” permanent space for founder and principal Sarah Cowell’s operations as she looks to develop her team of eight coaches and assistants and bring in a new office manager.

After originally opening for business at Storey Park Community Centre in 2019 and then running her classes from various venues in Morpeth, Sarah has seen CAST. take off in the last three years as demand for her courses has soared.

She currently has more than 350 youngsters aged 18 months to 18 years on her books, who participate in dozens of weekly classes. However, she fully expects student numbers to increase further in the next 12 months as she continues to bring in industry professionals to the school to ensure the students receive the best possible tuition.

Sarah also has plans to add additional classes, expanding her offer to include adult teaching while hiring out the studios to professional companies for rehearsal.

She said: “I’m thrilled with our new premises, and with its proximity to local transport links, the town centre and large flexible workspace, it provides the perfect springboard to launch a new chapter of success for CAST. and our students.

“@retail understood what we wanted to allow us to grow the business - they were extremely supportive in helping us to secure the right property in the right place at the right price.”

@retail continues to see a “robust” level of enquiries from startups and smaller niche operators who are looking for “versatile, well located and cost-effective” workspace.

Jonathan Chapman, associate at @retail, added: “Morpeth and other popular market towns across the region continue to receive considerable interest from entrepreneurial businesses and niche operators on the look-out for premises that can accommodate future expansion in operations.

“It’s all part of a wider, shifting regional retail landscape where businesses ambition like CAST. are helping to reshape town centre retail.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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