PLANS for Worcester’s old fire station to house a maths centre have been given the all-clear by the city council.

A Mathnasium will be moving into the ground floor of the Old Fire Station in Copenhagen Street.

The building was once home to the city’s fire chiefs but has since been transformed into a block of modern apartments - with some boasting what are said to be some of the best views in Worcester.

Attention has now turned to filling the ground floor, which was originally earmarked to be a food hall, shop and wine bar.

DEVELOPMENT: The Old Fire Station has been converted into luxury flats (Image: Newsquest)

The Mathnasium, which offers extra-curricular tuition to children aged six to 16, will take up less than half the available floor space.

Setting out the reasons for approving the plans, city council planners said: “Although the unit has extant permission for commercial use, the floorspace has never been used for such purposes, despite marketing since the planning permission was granted.

“It appears there is not demand for commercial floorspace for the uses originally intended and as such an alternative use is proposed.”

Planning officers say the educational centre will “contribute to the vitality” of the city centre and that the interal works are “minimal and ultimately reversible”.

While there are no public parking spaces being provided at the site, highways officers had no objections to the plans because of the city centre location.

Planners said there are “several city centre public car parks in the vicinity and the site is easily accessible by sustainable modes”.

It is also expected that parents are not expected to stay on site with children after taking them to the Mathnasium.

“Older students will be able to attend the site by sustainable modes unescorted, and it is noted that town centre cycle parking facilities are available nearby.

“There are also parking restrictions in the immediate vicinity on Copenhagen Street to prevent displacement parking and any drop off and pick up in this location should be strongly dissuaded and will also be at risk of civil enforcement action.

“Deliveries to the site can be made as per the extant commercial use on the site.”