Blackpool Dance Festivals are the latest casualty to resort's 2020 programme. Events will now take place in the autumn

Bosses Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited have been battling behind the scenes to save some of their major annual events in the wake of the temporary Winter Gardens closure.
Blackpool Dance Festival at Winter GardensBlackpool Dance Festival at Winter Gardens
Blackpool Dance Festival at Winter Gardens

The team announced the WDC AL European Championships, The Blackpool Junior Dance Festival and the Blackpool Dance Festival have all been put back, following the advice of the UK Government, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Public Health Agencies in England.

Despite the disruption managing director pf BECL Michael Williams staff had been working incredibly hard to secure new dates for the prestigious dance festivals in order to give patrons as much time and guidance as they can.

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The events that were all scheduled between April and May will now move to August, September and October.

In a statement he said: “We regret to announce that the Winter Gardens has closed in light of the most recent official government advice.

" We will remain closed until further notice and will re-open as soon as possible, following government recommendations. .

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and understanding. I do send my sincere best wishes to you all and your families.

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"The safety of our guests and dancers from around the world who all attend our Festivals annually is paramount to us as we look to work our way through these very challenging times.

"We will remain in contact over the coming weeks to keep everyone up to date as the situation develops. From Monday March 23 our Box Office and Dance Festival Office will be closed.

"We would respectfully request that patrons refrain from calling us at this time as our team are exceedingly busy at present so please bear with us as we work through the rescheduling of shows and events at this challenging time.”

The European Dance Championships in association with the DPA and WDC AL will now take place from October 15 to October 17 (originally April 10 – 12)

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The Blackpool Junior Dance Festival is now from August 31 to September 4 –Ballroom, Latin and Sequence events, and from September 19 to 20 September – Formation events. (Originally April 16 – 19)

Blackpool Dance Festival is now from August 25 to September 6 (Originally May 16-29)

The event organisers will be in contact with all entrants, patrons and exhibitors over the coming weeks to arrange any refunds and discuss the rearranged dates following consultation and advice from the British Dance Council (BDC).

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