A specialist suppliers of dance shoes and costumes is celebrating its 50th anniversary of retailing in Bradford.

Over the years, customers at Twinkle Toes have included Roy Castle, Les Dawson and Barbara Windsor. Next month children’s favourite Angelina Ballerina will be at the shop picking up her ballet slippers for a Bradford show.

Twinkle Toes was opened in 1960 by Edith Padgett, who taught the Alhambra pantomime’s Sunbeams and ran a ballet school in Bradford. The shop was in Westgate, later moving to Newcastle House, Barkerend Road, where it remains. Ann Hassan has been the owner for 23 years, after buying it from Mrs Padgett’s son, Leon Smith.

Mrs Hassan, who sells dance shoes, accessories and clothing including leotards, tights and ballet tutus, said styles that were in vogue when she arrived, in 1987, are back.

“It was all aerobics and Pineapple dance studios gear, which is popular again,” she said.

“Bradford has a rich heritage of dance schools and Twinkle Toes is a big part of that. Many people remember coming here as a child.

“I remember girls coming in when they were about three, now they bring their own children in. One customer first came aged five and is now 50. She’s still a dancer and runs salsa classes. She’s been coming here 45 years and is our oldest known customer. I’d love to hear from anyone else who has been using the shop that long, or even longer.”

Mrs Hassan first visited the shop in the 1970s to buy shoes for her daughter, Michelle, now a professional dancer. They run the shop together and work as extras, appearing in Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Twinkle Toes is celebrating its half century with an open day on Wednesday, June 2. Angelina Ballerina, who is in the Little Big Club show at St George’s Hall that day, will be at the shop from 10.30am to noon. “She’ll be meeting young children, and we’re giving away Angelina goodies,” said Michelle.

Anyone who has been a longstanding customer at Twinkle Toes is asked to ring (01274) 728648 or visit twinkletoesbradford.co.uk e-mail: emma.clayton@telegraphandargus.co.uk