THEIR daughters’ love of dance sparked an idea for two Southampton fathers.

Why not build them a studio that can also be used by other dancers?

In the hope of encouraging others to share in the enjoyment, Paul McManus and Glenn Flinter decided to build a brand-new dance studio in the centre of the city.

Both from Shirley, Paul and Glenn are business partners, and the project took three months to finish after converting the unit and building the facility.

The pair decided to take on the challenge following the two daughters’ love of all things dance, with the girls active in a variety of formats including performance and fitness.

Both children take part in dance classes in the city, with Paul’s daughter Eva having taken part in youth projects at The Mayflower Theatre.

Having known each other for more than 20 years, the two fathers run a manufacturing company in Southampton together.

When they saw how much the girls’ loved to dance and take part in various activities, they wanted to provide a space for others to try their hand.

Paul, 44, said the new studio is for the whole community.

Paul said: “It has been a real challenge to get the studio built and to the high specification that we wanted, but to see it open and ready for hire is amazing.

“Glenn and I have been able to see the joy that dancing brings to our daughters and we wanted to be able to help other people to have the opportunity to experience that same joy in a state-of-the-art environment.

“We wanted to ensure other activities like yoga or fitness classes and performing arts groups could use it as well.”

After seeing how much fun their daughters Violet and Eva, 11, had when starting to dance, the business partners decided to embark on a new space in Southampton that could be used by everyone.

Paul added: “We are both delighted with it. We hope that groups of all abilities and activities will be able to use it and get the same joy that Eva and Violet get from taking part in dance and fitness.”

The studio, on Southbrook Road, Freemantle, features a 640-square-foot floor and ceiling to floor mirrors.

To book the space, visit www.dancestudio17.co.uk.