The owner of the Hart Space in Southport is looking forward to the impending move to a new venue as a ‘space for kindness, support and community’ .
Jenie Scholes is getting ready to move into The White House, on Park Road West, saying it is ‘too hard to resume’ in the original location, which saw three young girls killed in a knife attack in the summer.
Girls aged six, seven and nine were killed as they attended a Taylor Swift themed dance and yoga class at the Hart Space on 29th July 2024. Several other girls and adults were badly injured and others left traumatised.
The venue has remained closed ever since that day.
The wonderful work of the Hart Space will soon continue inside The White House thanks to the joint efforts of Hart Space owner Jenie Scholes and Sefton Council.
The council have continuously reaffirmed its unwavering support of all those affected by what happened in Southport – and this includes helping the Hart Space to ensure their incredible work with families in the resort can continue in a new venue.
Jenie Scholes said: “A different venue, the same community
“As I know a lot of you have seen, we are moving venues.
“The Hart Space was built on love, kindness, support and community, and while we have loved our Space, we understand it is too hard to resume in what has been our home for years.
“When I opened The Hart Space, the purpose was to bring new parents together. While we have grown and offer lots for everyone, the ethos remains the same, providing a space where we are all welcome, regardless of how you identify, your faith, beliefs or culture.
“Our move is not to forget what has happened, we will never forget, it is to ensure what we set out to do continues, having a space for kindness, support and community.
“The last few months have shown just how strong our community is, in the wake of this tragedy.
I hope our new venue, ‘The White House’, will fulfil what we set out to do, to bring people together.
“Our plan is to provide, not just a variety of classes, but a variety of support and celebrations, to bring a community, our community, together.
“Please bear with us while we work through everything. Your kindness means the world to me and everyone in the ‘The Hart Space’ family.”
Jenie and her partners have led vital classes and programmes for new mums and families for a number of years and their efforts have provided support to hundreds of families in Southport.
Sefton Hospitality Operations Limited, which has recently operated the venue on a short-term agreement following refurbishment of the building, is fully supportive of the move and is assisting the local authority in ensuring the interior is transformed for the Hart Space.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “We are committed to doing whatever it takes to support our communities in the ongoing recovery of Southport.
“While this journey will take time, we are pleased to be able to have had this opportunity to support Jenie and the Hart Space family over a number of weeks so that they can resume their incredible work.
“In addition to the support of our Southport Business Recovery Fund, we are able to offer a beautiful venue in a lovely location for them to use.
“I would like to thank Sefton Hospitality Operations Ltd for their work at the White House and I know that they fully support and understand that we need to do whatever it takes to prioritise the use of our assets to help our communities. I look forward to seeing the hospitality business continuing to thrive at the Lake House in Waterloo.”
If you need further information, guidance or support please visit www.sefton.gov.uk/southporttogether
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