MARK and Rachel Oles of McQueen’s Dance and Theatre School CIC in Launceston are delighted to have secured a promising future for their arts facility, with plenty of exciting projects to come.

Last week, the Post reported that the school, based on Pennygillam Industrial Estate, had received a 28-day notice from Cornwall Council to move from their unit after their application to include D2 building status was refused.

McQueen’s applied for the status, for facilities under assembly and leisure, after receiving a noise complaint. After passing the feasibility study and undergoing necessary measures to soundproof the unit further, Mark and Rachel were advised to change the use of the building to D2, which was refused on the grounds of being ‘contrary to policy LAU-E4 of the DPD and policy 5 of the Cornwall Local Plan Strategic Policies 2010-2030’ and with the council aiming to ‘safeguard’ Pennygillam Industrial Estate as an area to produce employment opportunities.

On receiving their 28-day notice, Mark and Rachel were told they would need to be out of their unit by early September but could appeal the decision — a process taking up to six months.

However, since the article was published, the couple have received an influx of letters of support, as well as vital support from local Cornwall Councillors and Launceston Town Council.

To their delight, McQueen’s looks set to stay, being able to continue providing their much-needed service from 38B Pennygillam Industrial Estate. The council has told Rachel and Mark that they ‘don’t want to shut down such a vital community service’.

“We had a call from the town council, who basically said we should have gone to them two months ago when it first kicked off as we would have saved ourselves receiving the breach notice,” Rachel said. “I don’t like involving people in my problems.”

On September 2, the pair also met with Cornwall Councillors Jade Farrington, for Launceston South, and Adrian Parsons, for Altarnun, as they came to offer their support to the theatre school.

“Adrian Parsons and Jade Farrington have been amazing,” Rachel said. “They really have gone above and beyond.

“It turns out Cornwall Council got in touch with the town council, who were totally in the dark about the situation — they knew nothing about it. They have been so supportive. The other thing that we didn’t do is we didn’t involve our students and parents in it, but then we decided, with Jade and Adrian’s advice, that it would be nice to get some letters of support, to which there was a huge support. Within a couple of hours there was 40 letters — our parents were very vocal.

“We even had one student who said she would protest and tie herself to the post — I taught her very well in her drama!”

Mark said: “The letters of support were absolutely brilliant and continue to be, they’re still coming in.”

Cllrs Parsons and Farrington, along with the town council, were said to be ‘shocked’ that a noise complaint had been reported against the theatre school.

“They were astounded,” Rachel said. “When we filled out the application form, perhaps if we worded it differently, there may have been a different outcome. But they (Cornwall Council) still maintained that they were protecting this area for the industry to create employment — but we explained that’s what we’re in the process of doing here.”

Mark continued: “The industry is the arts. What we’re doing is opening that up and giving people a chance to experience that. I think what’s important is the amount of support McQueen’s has.”

“We have had that support because people know we’re not just a dance school, we’re far more than that,” Rachel continued.

Despite this knock-back and with a more promising future, Mark and Rachel are positive about what’s in store for McQueen’s, with plans to expand their classes and events.

Mark said: “We’re always moving forward. The support we have noticed and received recently has opened further possibilities. Even the planners said how important something like this is to the community and is not something that should be shut down.”

The couple received more than 40 letters of support to send to Cornwall Council. Letters came from Tesco Launceston’s Community Champion, Launceston Day Centre, students, parents, a representative from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and more.

A representative from Launceston Day Centre, who have an hour’s session each week with McQueen’s, wrote: “Adults at Launceston love dancing and when we found McQueen’s Dance and Theatre everyone was delighted. The dance sessions are fun and are enjoyed by all.

“We have individuals who have anxiety and mobility problems but on dancing days anxiety problems fade. If McQueen’s were to stop, these people may lose mobility, stimulation and community presence.”

One student wrote: “The school provides (and always has) support and training to all young people and support to the parents involved. They take shy, nervous individuals and boost their confidence in not just performing, but day to day life.

“What this school does is a miracle and not one you will usually find in Cornwall.”

Meanwhile a concerned parent added: “The school and studio are an important part of the community and lives of many children in Launceston. It would be a huge shame for so many to lose out and I strongly urge the council to reconsider their decision.”

With the original noise complaint having been rejected after a feasibility study, with Mark previously stating that they passed ‘with flying colours’, Mark and Rachel are now waiting on an official confirmation letter from Cornwall Council to state that they are able to stay in the unit at Pennygillam.

Mark said: “We hope to avoid any unnecessary arbitration.”

The incident has even made way for further opportunities for more funding, and things can only get better from there, according to Mark and Rachel.

“That’s the good thing about this,” Rachel said. “We’re doing our best now to make sure we get some funding and continue to serve our community.”

McQueen’s has plenty of new exciting events and workshops they are working on, including a brand new drama class set to open up to budding actors very soon, with a whole load of fun thrown into it.

“With all of this going on, we held off on it, but we will now be starting drama classes. Although straight acting is brilliant, everything we do has to have some fun in it. So there will be no singing, no dancing, but there will be lots of fun!” Rachel said.

In addition to this, McQueen’s are also set to work with Martyn Callwood, a guitarist from the band ‘Lionstar’. Martyn has hopes to start a ‘Rock School’, introducing students to different instruments and vocals with McQueen’s.

Mark said: “It would be another string to our bow. This (McQueen’s) is fast becoming a creative hub for the community, and that’s what we have always aimed to do.”

McQueen’s have helped a number of people with additional needs and low confidence to flourish and exceed through their range of classes and skills workshops. One lady that comes to mind for Rachel is someone who lives with Downs Syndrome and is a member of Launceston Day Centre.

Rachel said: “I honestly think she is one of my most favourite people on earth. She’s a lovely lady with an extra chromosome — that’s how you’ve got to think about it.

“She is mostly non-verbal so with the salsa steps I go to her wheelchair and move her back and forth as I count ‘one, two, three’, and she was actually counting with me!”

“That’s the stuff that drives us, and all the different characters we come across every day,” Mark added.

“There’s another lady who doesn’t like to be touched at all, but she’s hugging me all the time now. It’s such a rewarding job,” Rachel said.

With such positive results from their work with Launceston Day Centre and people with additional needs, Mark and Rachel have been asked to deliver workshops to other day centres across Cornwall and beyond.

Mark said: “And all the fundraising we have been getting from the Co-op’s Community Fund, which will be used towards our work on National Play Day, is really healthy because it’s going to bring all sorts of people to the centre of Launceston. We have got lots of projects coming up, lots of places to go and explore.”

The next move for the couple is to receive the confirmation from Cornwall Council and then start their new drama class. McQueen’s will be taking part in this year’s Launceston Carnival, arts festivals, the Christmas show in Launceston, as well as a ‘McAnimation’ show, a cross-over between McQueen’s and their favourite animations, and launching their own website. Thinking forward, Rachel and Mark are keen to introduce some ‘roaring 20s’ to Launceston, incorporating all things Gatsby, Peaky Blinders and throwing a whole load of glamour into a new project for 2020.

Mark and Rachel are grateful to all those who have shown support to them during the difficult two months: “A massive thank you to everyone. There’s nothing we can say to show how truly grateful we really are. We will just continue doing what we do because of them.

“Thank you to Launceston Town Council, Jade Farrington and Adrian Parsons, and to the people who have sent us letters of support. They give us a reason to do what we do and never let us down.”

Cornwall Council did not provide the Post with an additional comment, but referred to their previous statement, which said: “The planning application from Rachel Oles, McQueen’s Dance and Theatre Company, was for the change of use of an industrial unit at Pennygillam Industrial Estate to a dance and theatre company which would result in the loss of a unit in an area that is safeguarded for employment uses. Therefore the application was refused.

“We understand the importance of community facilities such as this and will discuss options with the applicant to help enable this business to continue its work in the Launceston area.

“We give free regulatory advice and support to businesses in Cornwall on letting out commercial premises, planning and building control issues through out Business Regulatory Support Hub: www.businessregulatorysupport.co.uk. We also give advice on applying for funding for letting our commercial premises through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth and Skills Hub.”

For more information about McQueen’s Dance and Theatre School CIC, visit their Facebook page.