Alicia School of Dancing in St Annes

From the 1920s through to the 1960s, a small studio behind 123 St Andrews Road South in St Annes was home to Alicia’s School of Dancing, a cornerstone of the town’s performing arts scene. Founded by Alicia Cottrell, the school offered lessons in ballet, tap, and modern dance, nurturing hundreds of local children who would go on to perform on stage at festivals and community events across the Fylde Coast.

Alicia Cottrell’s influence on dance in the area was profound. Known for her dedication and exacting standards, she also founded the Lytham St Annes Dance Festival, which became an important fixture in the region’s cultural calendar, drawing dancers and audiences from across Lancashire. Her school became synonymous with the growing popularity of dance in St Annes during the mid-20th century, offering a space where students could express themselves artistically while developing confidence, discipline, and stagecraft.

Among Cottrell’s pupils was Deirdre Middleton, who began her training at Alicia’s studio before going on to a professional career in dance. She is now the Principal of DATS (Dance at the Smithy), a respected dance and theatre school based in Bramhall — continuing her mentor’s legacy of training and performance. You can learn more about her school here: Dance at the Smithy (DATS).

Another of Alicia’s students, Barbara Eshelby, also carried her teacher’s influence into a lifelong career in dance. After training with Alicia and later at the prestigious Loretto Ballet School in Southport, Barbara went on to perform professionally before founding Kirkham Dance Centre, later renamed Rainbow Dance and Theatre School, which has inspired and trained generations of young dancers. More about her school can be found here: Rainbow Dance and Theatre School.

Though Alicia’s School of Dancing closed in the 1960s, its spirit lives on in the teachers, performers, and choreographers who began their journeys within its walls. The studio behind St Andrews Road South remains a quiet but enduring landmark of St Annes’ rich artistic heritage — a place where the love of dance first took flight.