A well-known toy shop in Dundee could be transformed into a cooking school.
Plans have been submitted to create a cooking school on Commercial Street in the C-listed building that houses Nappy Pin and Toymaster.
Proposals submitted to the council by architect Jon Frullani outline proposals to create a cookery school in the building as well as eight flats in the upper floors of the four storey building.
If approved, there will also be cafe alongside the school on the ground floor.
Some of the meals that people can learn to rustle up include beef cheek with mashed carrots, fish pie and passion fruit posset.
The ground floor will contain an open plan kitchen where up to 16 people will be taught to cook at any one time.
Food served within the cafe will be prepared in the same kitchen area.
The first floor will contain three two-bedroom flats, the second and third floors will have two two-bedroom flats and the attic will consist of one two-bedroom flat.
The building falls under the Central Conservation Area and as such the it is “desirable” that the “character or appearance” of the building is maintained.
The distinctive burgundy paint for the toy store will be removed so the original stone is shown, unless that is found to be damaging to the brickwork. If that is the case, it will be repainted to a “heritage colour to the satisfaction of the council”.
It is said that there are “no historic features of significance” inside the building, but if something is discovered during the renovation then it will be exposed and incorporated in the cafe decor.
The family-owned toy store was set up by Alex Stewart in 1971. News of its planned closure broke in April when the owners issued a statement to staff saying they were forced to close because of “adverse trading conditions”.
The statement added that staff were saddened to make the decision.
The stores are still trading and will not close until a buyer of the building is found.
Its stores in Broughty Ferry and Cupar have been kept open.
Councillors will vote on the new plans at a future Planning Committee meeting.
