A pole dance studio that opened its doors just a fortnight before the country went into the first Covid lockdown is thriving post-pandemic.

Pole Dance Studio by Nat held its open day on March 8. Lockdown was announced on March 23.

Owner Natalia Borkowska now works alongside a team of two fellow instructors at her studio in King Street, Longton.

She said: “We opened three or four times in the gaps between lockdowns. It was very difficult. Sometimes, if I’m having a low self-esteem day, I think about what we’ve overcome and where we are now and that reminds me what we’ve achieved.”

Natalia has a dance background and has been a cheerleader but says pole dancing has been her passion since she took in up in 2009.

She was a member of the Pole Sport Association in her native Poland and organised pole dancing championships and competitions.

“Pole dancing is amazing for everything,” she said. “When I see some of the girls it’s hard to believe what low confidence they had when they started. It’s amazing just how much people grow from doing this.

“Some people still think pole dancing is connected with clubs but it’s about so much more, including mental health.

“Since June 2021 we have created many amazing groups, given the opportunity for new friendships that have gone beyond the studio but most importantly we have helped many women to regain confidence in themselves and this has translated into success in their personal lives.

“We started with two groups a week and now we have almost 20 groups that run regularly thanks to having at least half or full seats.

“We have created a place full of love and fitness, a place where the participants are so strongly connected to the instructor that relationships are formed outside of class while maintaining respect from both sides.

“Our studio is a place where everyone feels invited and where almost everyone stays for a long time. As well as being involved in the studio, we try to be socially active and support various events in Stoke- on-Trent and support various charities.”

Pole Dance Studio by Nat has entered the Small Business of the Year category of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.