By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A derelict former vape shop on a Mansfield shopping parade could be turned into an education tutoring centre.
The shop, at Unit 4 of the shopping precinct at 69 Woodhouse Road, has been vacant since Vape Lab closed its doors.
But now developers have put forward new proposals to give the empty shop a new lease of life by supporting children with English and maths tutoring.
The plans have been lodged by Katherine Wilkinson to form a Kip McGrath Education Centre in the unit with a capacity to help six children per hour.
A Kip McGrath Education Centre is described as an in-centre and online tuition hub “tailored to the individual child’s needs and wishes”.
The applicant says it is a “proven methodology” which has helped children to “catch up and keep up” in both subject areas.
The organisation already has centres in Long Eaton, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Mapperley, Wollaton and West Bridgford.
And if approved, the new Mansfield centre would open occasionally during the day between 10am and 4pm on weekdays – even during school holidays.
But its primary operating hours would be evening tutoring between 4pm and 7pm daily.
The applicant says it won’t change the appearance of the existing shop front “to ensure there is no deterioration to the vitality of the shopping parade”.
And it says education activity would generally be “low-key” and would not have a “detrimental impact on the amenity of nearby residents”.
Existing time-restricted parking at the shopping parade would be used to access the tutoring facilities.
And the applicant says the premises are in a “sustainable” location, meaning people can also arrive by walking, cycling and using public transport.
“There would be sufficient scope for vehicles associated with the use
to park, drop off and collect children in the adjacent car park or surrounding streets,” the applicant added.
“The unit is fitted with a level access for wheelchair use and a toilet suitable for disabled people.
“The general appearance of the unit would not change. It would be clearly seen as appropriate to its context.
“The number of clients anticipated would be up to 6 tutees per hour with two tutors.
“Activity generated would be, of its nature, low-key and would not have a detrimental impact on the amenity of any nearby residents.”
Kip McGrath’s other centres across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire confirm tutors are qualified teachers and help to close gaps in children’s learning.
“Success in learning helps to boost a child’s self-esteem and encourages a positive attitude towards learning,” the organisation says.
“We will create an individual learning programme specifically designed to suit [a] child’s needs.
“Each 80-minute session includes one-on-one attention with a tutor and a combination of written and computer-based activities in a small group learning environment.”
The new Mansfield plans will be discussed by district council planners at a later date.
