The owner of a new entertainment venue is adamant it wouldn't attract youths causing anti-social behaviour after traders raised concerns.

And Nilesh Pandit said he was confident the proposed venue at Parkgate Shopping Centre will be granted a licence to sell alcohol at a Solihull Council hearing later this month.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service recently reported Mr Pandit – who already runs softplay Rainforest Rascals and the 'Blnded' cafe in a row of shops in the centre – now wants to turn the former Poundland unit there into 'Hideout'.

The venue would offer electronic darts, shuffle games, arcade games and screen sport.

And the plan is for a bar to sell alcohol and play recorded music daily between 11am and 11pm daily throughout the week.

Next door hair and beauty salon Bei Capelli has submitted an objection to the proposed venue getting the licence.

That objection said: "The shopping centre is becoming a playground for youngsters with balaclavas riding through and robbing elderly women of their handbags.

"We are so worried customers will not return as they are becoming frightened to come to the centre.

"This new proposal will add more problems and as a business we would have to consider moving out of the area."

The LDRS spoke to other traders, who did not want to be named, who share their concerns.

Traders told us they were seeing more and more teenagers on bikes, had seen their shop windows smashed in the past and were overall "unhappy" with the planned venue.

One trader said: "It is terrible (the youths) are on bikes doing wheelies, and you have electric scooters now weaving around up and down causing chaos.

"It has got worse over the years and that's what we are all worried about with the new place – it will be an attraction for them.

"They are big lads, they will congregate – imagine having to come out of my shop going past that at night."

But the new owner said: "Shirley desperately needs something and I hope this will bring what people want.

"I know the area, I have been here a long time. With a lot of stuff closing down it is important we give something for people – interactive games, unique things like VR.

"We have to have security which in turn will help police the area. We will have cameras.

"We have had incidents (of anti-social behaviour) here in the past, but nothing crazy.

"Our licence would have to be backed up with the right procedures, trained competent staff.

"It is the complete opposite situation – this would attract youngsters to this area wanting to do something, to enjoy themselves.

"If they are wearing balaclavas we wouldn't let them in. You will have to dress, act and speak correctly."

The owner, who said the plan was to open the venue before Christmas, added: "It's one of those situations, you can't do something great without someone not being happy about it."

The council's licensing act panel will make the final decision with its options being to:

• Grant the application as applied for
• Grant the application with amendments to activities or times or with additional conditions attached to the premises licence.
• Refuse the application for a premises licence

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Civic Suite on July 8.