On a wet Tuesday in October, Platt Bridge Community Centre, near Wigan, is alive with the music of Shania Twain as about 30 women and one man are line dancing to her hit Man! I Feel Like a Woman!.
The class is so popular that the centre has recently introduced an extra session to meet demand.
The community centre is in the heart of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s constituency, Makerfield, and they know all about budgeting here as it is run entirely by volunteers and has recently had to raise thousands of pounds for a new roof.
Norman Smith is one of the trustees. He says running the centre comes with tremendous financial challenges.
“It’s a very old building and sometimes the trustees feel like they’re trying to keep all the plates spinning,” he said.
“It’s very hard at times.”
As well as line dancing, the centre is home to Wigan table tennis club and also offers a food bank and a warm space.
Smith says it is an essential part of the Platt Bridge community.
“No-one gets paid for working here,” he said.
“We have around 500 people using the centre. Financially, it couldn’t run without the volunteers.”
Platt Bridge is one of the most deprived parts of Wigan.
When Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, he said the constituency would not be a “stepping stone” to No 10, although he went on to become prime minister.
Nicha Rowson, 35, says she believes the Platt Bridge community is “being heard” under Burnham’s stewardship.
She says when residents speak to their local MP and councillors, they are “taking in our voices”.
She believes if politicians listen to what residents are saying, Makerfield could become “this amazing place”.
Taking a rest from line dancing, Karen Jones, 67, from Ashton-in-Makerfield, says she will be watching the Budget on Wednesday with interest.
“I want to see what they can do for people,” she says.
She wants the chancellor to look at helping people keep more of their money.
“People are struggling to earn a decent living and then they’re taxed quite a lot on it, there should be a little bit more relief for them, I think.”
The Budget coincides with Andy Burnham’s first 100 days in office.
The steps he and the chancellor take on Wednesday could determine how well the next 100 days are received.
