Tuition centre at £50m Stourbridge shopping complex to create 20 jobs

Explore Learning wants to open within two units at the Crown Centre in Stourbridge. The firm launched in 2000 and already has 90 education centres across the UK.

The proposed move follows the opening of sandwich chain Subway and cobblers Timpson, although there are still many empty units at the centre.

In a planning application to change the use of the retail units to an education centre, Explore Learning said the centre would be open seven days a week, with up to 100 tutoring sessions a day.

The firm's planning agents Walsingham Planning submitted a document in support of the proposal.

It said the centre would encourage parents to use surrounding shops, create employment and increase the diversity of businesses in the town centre.

The document said: "Explore Learning first started operating in concession units within Sainsbury's supermarkets. The success of these units quickly led the company to expand into stand-alone units located within defined retail centres adding a new facility able to attract and retain town centre users and improve the vitality of town centres."

The centres are open both during term-time and holidays for children aged from five to 14. They are designed to support a child's school education and have an emphasis on Maths and English.

The document said: "Children attend an Explore Learning Centre regularly once or twice a week to work with tutors. Each tuition session lasts approximately an hour after which children are allowed to play games for 15 minutes.

"There is no booking required, children can turn up as and when they are able."

The Crown Centre was opened on October 31. Its anchor store is a Tesco Extra, which employs 400 people.

Since the opening there has been a steady flow of new businesses to the centre.

Firms Kents Barbers, Cafe Rimski, Timpsons and Eyewise Opticians occupy units.

In documents attached to Explore Learning's planning application, marketing firm BWD revealed a veterinary practice and card retailer had both looked at the units wanted, but both decided to pull out.

Emma Charlesworth, from BWD, said in a letter: "The reason that we simply have not had the level of interest in the scheme is because since the economic recession started and the needless numbers of retail companies that have gone into administration, retailers are alot more careful about the sites they take."

Dudley Council will decide on the planning application in the coming months.