Isle Of Wight Line Dancing Group Launches Fundraiser For Permanent Newport Venue

A popular Isle of Wight line dancing group is appealing for support as it looks to secure a permanent home in Newport.

The Long Island Stompers, founded by Grace Richardson three years ago, have built a community of more than 1,000 dancers across the Island.

Now, Grace hopes to take the group to the next level by creating a dedicated space for regular classes and live country music.

The plan is to renovate a venue in Newport that is accessible by public transport and has parking for visitors.

The space would host daily line dancing sessions for all abilities, alongside weekly live music nights giving local country bands a low-cost platform to perform.

Grace said:

“We’ve reached some incredible milestones over the last three years, but we now need a base of our own.

"Rent alone will cost £3,500 a month, not including utilities or staffing, so we’re asking for help to bring this vision to life.”

The fundraiser aims to cover renovation costs, business rates, and the first months of rent.

So far, £425 has been raised towards the £3,500 target.

Grace added:

“This won’t just be for dancers — it’ll be a venue for anyone who loves live music and supporting local talent. We want to bring back some of the nightlife the Island has lost.”

You can support the Long Island Stompers’ fundraiser here.