THE site of a well-known former school uniform shop could be transformed into a hairdressing training centre.
Stephenson College is hoping to convert the old D&P Schoolwear Centre, Maid Marian Way.
It will become the Lee Stafford Hairdressing Academy, with the celebrity crimper overseeing the operation.
The scheme will need planning permission from Nottingham City Council.
College principal Nigel Leigh said: "This is a very prominent city centre location for this exciting new venture.
"It is important for us that our students are able to get into the city and go straight to a new training centre rather than having to head out of the city."
The uniform shop closed down last year after 15 years. It moved to Woodborough Road, Mapperley under the new name Schoolwear Solutions.
Store manager Raaj Takhar said the shop, part of the John Cheatle group, moved after 80 per cent of 150 customers surveyed said they would use it more if free car parking was available.
The premises have since been vacant.
Mr Leigh said they would renovate it, with the downstairs being a training area open to the public, and the upstairs used for classrooms. Mr Leigh could not say how much the refurbishment would cost but hoped the centre would be ready by September for an intake of up to 50 students.
He added: "We will have further education students who will spend all of their training there with us, and apprentices who are linked to other businesses who can join us for training.
"We hope to have a decision from the council in the next couple of weeks.
"If we get that we can hopefully start the process to recruit students.
"Lee is an excellent ambassador for his profession and is passionate about education and raising standards within the hairdressing industry. He is a role model for aspiring young hairdressers."
Mr Stafford said: "I am very excited to be partnering with Stephenson College, together delivering outstanding education, giving young people the opportunity to have the very best careers possible in the amazing world of hair."
The centre would be the latest base for the expanding college. Its main base is in Coalville, Leicestershire, and it also has a site in Lenton.
People in the city said it was a shame the uniform shop had closed but were pleased there were plans for it.
Paul Dennis, 38, said: "I'm happy there will be some use for the site.
"It was a pretty iconic place over a number of years and a real shame when it shut."
Andrew Mitchell, 55, said: "I was sad when it closed as I used that shop for my children's school clothes. But I am happy that there are now plans for it, rather than leaving it derelict."
