Lockdown restrictions haven’t dampened the enthusiasm of franchisees at Stagecoach Theatre Arts whose network has grown significantly during the first half of 2021.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, it has been a productive year for Stagecoach Theatre Arts. Over the past seven months, the company has enjoyed considerable growth, despite having to overcome issues created by lockdown restrictions. Since the start of the year, 11 new and existing franchisees have invested in additional territories, all helping to satisfy the current high demand for children’s performing arts classes.
One of those to purchase a second territory is Kent resident Carrie Harrison-Iddon. Carrie joined the Stagecoach Performing Arts network in 2010, setting up business in Tunbridge Wells. More than a decade later she has invested in territory No 2, at nearby Otford which is a village close to Sevenoaks.
Carrie said: “I first started discussions with the franchise support team back in October when I heard that the previous franchisee at Otford wanted to move on. Purchasing a neighbouring territory felt like a natural progression for me. Although I took over as Principal just as the second lockdown was coming to an end, and before the third lockdown came into effect, it hasn’t had a negative impact on operations.
“Despite not being able to welcome students back to either territory until April of this year, numbers are still as high as they were before. I have 220 students across the two schools. I spent the four months before restrictions were lifted preparing for the ‘start of term’. It was a creative period for me as I got ready to greet my new students.”
The UK network of Stagecoach Performing Arts has more than 300 franchisees dotted around the country, with virtually all of these now back in venue following the lifting of nationwide restrictions. The brand specialises in developing the singing, dancing and acting talents of children while also boosting their overall confidence.
The company’s business partners operate more than 2,000 schools and classes across eight countries, and have helped to unlock the potential of millions of students since opening for business 33 years ago. Among the actors and actresses to have benefited from attending Stagecoach classes in the UK are Dani Harmer, Emma Watson and Jamie Bell.
Australia, Canada, Germany and Spain are just four of the countries where a Stagecoach network is flourishing, and Carrie Harrison-Iddon is also witnessing a boom in the UK. She added: “My Otford territory is going from strength to strength, with over half of our students coming from new enrolments. We’re so inundated with enquiries that I’ve planned summer workshops for both the Tunbridge Wells and Otford territories. Something tells me the second six months of the year is going to be very busy too.”
Not surprisingly, the company’s chief operating officer, Andy Knights, is delighted with how business has progressed despite the pandemic. He said: “We’re extremely proud of what we have achieved as a network. In times of economic uncertainty, it’s incredible to see us grow at such a rate.
“Interest in our programme has never been as high as it is now, with parents looking for ways for their children to start socialising again, following a year of isolation. This is a pivotal time for our brand and I’m looking forward to seeing what our franchisees can continue to achieve during the second six months of the year – and beyond.”
