York Community Prom Dress Borrow seeks a cheaper venue after Acomb Parish Church Hall raises its hourly rate for space rental.
Now, the church hall charges £20 per hour, costing them £120 each Saturday or Sunday since the family used the hall for six hours each month. Dani says this new cost is too high.
The church warden said volunteers run the hall and fees are needed to cover costs. They also keep the space safe and clean with the money. Dani is now seeking a new, more affordable location.
The family provides free dresses, helping people during tough times and a Go Fund Me page aids the service. The family also pays costs, as they want everyone to enjoy prom.
Basic dresses cost around £300 and Dani says it is a choice between prom, food, or gas for some. The fee came during their busiest time and they have about thirty appointments waiting.
The service’s Facebook page is always busy, showing people desperately need affordable prom dresses. Dani liked the church hall location and she could also keep dresses there.
Without a venue, she will have to store 200 dresses at her Strensall home. They need a York venue to keep going because bus access is really important for their clients.
Some have offered venues outside York, but those wouldn’t work for their clients. Timothy Marvell is St. Stephen’s Church warden who said they must charge all users fairly.
They support community groups when possible, but they still must cover hall costs. Fees keep the hall safe and clean for everyone and most clients are nonprofits or community groups.