diddi dance

diddi dance Founder Announced as Finalist in Two Prestigious Awards

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2025 has started incredibly well for diddi dance. Their founder, Anne-Marie Martin has been announced as a finalist for 2 prestigious awards in the childrens activities sector.
Her first announcement was for the ICON Award in the Institute of Childrens Activity Providers which is held on 20th March and then for the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Club Hub UK awards which takes place on 10th May.
Anne-Marie started diddi dance back in 2003 after seeing a gap in the market for preschool dance classes and after 22 years still teaches her local classes AS well as running a national network of passionate franchisees across the UK from Sunderland down to Plymouth. With over 30 years teaching experience, her dance degree in 1997 and working with child psychologists and early years movement specialists, the diddi dance program explores dance styles from around the world, delivering sessions in a simple, fun and engaging way to preschoolers from babies to 5 years.
“to be a finalist in 2 amazing award categories with such highly respected others is an honour, it would be amazing to win even one of these the year I turn 50 but even just getting to be a fianlist is something I am extremely proud of” says Anne-Marie Martin.

diddi dance Attends HSBC Elite Franchise Top 100 Awards 2025

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The team at diddi dance attended the HSBC Elite Franchise TOP 100 Awards 2025 where we had the privilege of collecting our TOP 100 franchise award for the 8th year running. It was an amazing evening that took place at the Leonardo Hotel in St Paul’s, Central London and we got the chance to celebrate and network with so many other franchises. It really is a tremendous industry to be part of.

The HSBC Elite Franchise TOP 100 UK Awards is Britain’s definitive official list celebrating excellence in the franchise community.

   

diddi dance Founder, Makes Finalist in ICAP Awards 2025 as ICAP ICON

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We are so proud to announce that Anne- Marie Martin founder & franchisor of diddi dance has been nominated and is a finalist in the Institute of Children’s Activities Awards Awards 2025 as ICAP ICON for her incredible contribution to the Children’s activities sector.

 

 

ICAP or the Institute or Children’s Activity Providers, are a professional membership body and community of business owners and leaders operating in the children’s activities sector. Aiming to champion best practice, raise standards and innovate, driving positive change and progression across the industry.

 

 

Congratulations Anne-Marie. Good luck in the final.

diddi dance Makes it into the Elite Franchise Top 100 List for the 8th Consecutive Year

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We are proud to announce that for the eighth year running diddi dance has ranked in the Elite Franchise Top 100 Franchises 2025 sponsored by the British Franchise Association.

The HSBC Elite Franchise TOP 100 UK Awards is Britain’s definitive official list celebrating excellence in the franchise community. They believe it’s important to highlight these franchise businesses, and to this end they release the official ranking on the 6th December, with a celebratory awards evening to follow.

The HSBS Franchise Top 100 UK Awards is Britain’s definitive official list celebrating excellence in the franchise community. Franchises are judges on eight core criteria including growth, ambitions and contributions made to franchisees and the community, and they have an independent panel of top judges in the franchise sector, who score the full top 100 list.

diddi dance Franchisee from Central & North Liverpool Wins at the What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2024

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We recently headed off to the What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2024, a wonderful evening that celebrates and recognises the UK’s children’s activities and businesses.

Running since 2006. these awards have now become the most prestigious and longest running within the sector and allow all children’s activity providers the chance to nominate themselves within both voted and judges categories, there even some special achievement awards too!

We’ve been lucky enough to win over the years, and it’s even more incredible to see our franchisees winning in their own categories as well.

An amazing night at the awards got even better when our very own Kirsty from diddi dance Central & North Liverpool & South Knowsley won the award for ‘most loved music, dance or performing arts’🎉

A huge congratulations also to Naomi from diddi dance Southport, Sefton & West Lancashire who also joined her as a finalist in the category.

We are so proud of them both!

 

diddi dance Reading & Wokingham Franchisee Wins Great British Franchisee Award 2024

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Local dance teacher wins top franchise industry accolade

diddi dance franchisee Bethany Bianga has won a highly sought after whichfranchise Great British Franchisee Award.

As franchisee for diddi dance Reading & Wokingham for the past three years, Bethany has taken her business from strength to strength and is regarded as an incredible asset to the diddi dance network.

The award judges were impressed with Bethany commitment to the brand. “Bethany comes across as an extremely valued and active member of the diddi dance network.”

“She has shown to participate in all team events and keen to support other franchisees.  She has expressed a strong passion for the brand and is not afraid to take on new challenges.  Bethany promotes the diddi dance standards very well.”

Beginning her business journey emerging from the pandemic, Bethany has taken everything as a new and fresh start, her use of company image and branding is always thorough, with attention to detail to deliver the diddi dance standard.

Doubling public class business, and seeing a huge increase in parties delivered, as a new young business owner during a time when many established and experienced businesses have struggled to bounce back is a true reflection of Bethany’s drive, determination, and passion for teaching this age group and driving her business. Expanding her teaching team with successful recruitment and training in line with diddi dance operations to support the increase in business accordingly.

“We are so proud of Bethany’s award win. She has been a valuable member of our diddi dance crew for 3 years now and has built a highly successful franchise with an amazing community feel,” commented Anne-Marie Martin, Founder of diddi dance.

Bethany was equally as happy with her win:

‘I am absolutely delighted to be a winner of the Great British Franchisee Awards 2024. It’s fantastic knowing my hard work and commitment to my business over the past 3 years of running has been recognised and awarded. It has also given me a real motivation to keep striving towards excellence”

diddi dance Franchisees are Finalists in the What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2024

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The prestigious What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2024 are just around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited to announce that two of our franchisees have got through to the finals! Congratulations to Naomi of diddi dance Southport, Sefton and West Lancashire and Kirsty of diddi dance Central and North Liverpool and South Knowsley. They are both up for an award in the ‘Most loved music, dance or performing arts activity franchise or license territory ‘category and we couldn’t be more proud of them.

Every year these awards commend those working in the children’s activities sector and bring everyone together for recognition, celebration and networking. It gives our franchisees a chance to be nominated by those that attend class, and to be put forward for awards really showcase how their hard work all pays off.

Thank you to everyone for your nominations and votes and we cant wait for the awards evening on 21st November in Southampton.

diddi dance Franchisees Celebrate Their Business Birthdays

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We know many parents will have been settling their little ones into their first school this week or maybe they’re starting a new school. Their new adventures can be daunting for any parent and we know how they want to be there for every assembly, performance, teacher meeting, sports day, the list is endless. 

After enjoying the summer holidays with their families, our franchisees have also got the flexibility to adapt their schedule to work around any future school runs, term dates, and inset days. 

September has always been a popular month for new diddi dance franchisees to launch their business and this month we are celebrating some big birthdays!

If you would like to find out more about running your very own diddi dance business check our franchise page for more information.

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