WORK has started to transform a Romsey industrial unit into a community hub.

The Academy-Studios, on the Romsey Industrial Estate, in Greatbridge Road, is finally taking shape after three years of planning.

It will provide a host of activities for all ages, with a mixture of dance, theatre, health and fitness classes.

Owner, Nikki Jones, hopes work will be completed by May and is taking bookings for the beginning of June.

She was there this week to witness the builders move in to strip down the existing warehouse and office space.

Now work will start in earnest on the internal alterations, costing in excess of £50,000, which include the creation of two ground-floor studios, one for fitness the other for urban dance, a café and a third upstairs studio for quieter activities, like pilates and yoga.

She said: “At the moment, it’s an industrial unit and there’s a lot of work to be done.”

Change-of-use was agreed by Test Valley Borough councillors at a meeting in February.

Externally, the only changes to the site would be the creation of a pedestrian access, which means there must be a gap in the existing boundary wall.

Ms Jones said she would also be looking to employ cleaners, reception staff and café staff, plus instructors who want to build up their own businesses.

She founded the Academy Stage School in Sherfield English in 2004, with just 10 children and built the business up.

She wants this new facility to be somewhere for young people to go in the evening.

The Academy-Studios will be putting on a Teen Zone on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, a youth club aimed at getting youngsters healthy.

There will be a range of activities including fitness classes, mini basketball tournaments, five-a-side football, a pool table, X-box and Wii sports competitions, as well as a juice bar and internet access.

“It’s just to get the young people off the streets, because there’s not anywhere in Romsey for them,” said Ms Jones.

“I think 95 per cent of the kids are great, but they just need somewhere to go and be able to be a teenager.

“Romsey is great if you are young – seven, eight or nine, or an adult – but when you are a teenager, there’s nothing.”