Solihull councillors have granted a convenience shop an alcohol licence after hearing arguments there had been a lot of "misinformation" over the application.

Pensioners at a retirement village in Castle Bromwich had flooded Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) with their objections to the proposal for 'Open Late' in Chester Road to have the licence.

The grocery store is yet to open at a vacant unit which was formerly a menswear shop.

Sami Atal, the shop's director, applied to the authority for permission to sell alcohol daily in the opening hours between 7am and 11pm daily.

But as the Local Democracy Reporting Service recently reported, several objections were made from residents living in Henshaw Court, a retirement living accommodation on the road.

Resident Mrs Dunn wrote in her objection: "I am concerned a licence could lead to increased late-night noise and disturbance for nearby residents."

Another resident, Maureen Spicer, wrote: "All our residents are between late 60s and 90s.

"The last thing we need at our age are people drinking and leaving the rubbish in our area."

The authority's licensing act panel met to make a decision on the application on July 13.

Agent on behalf of the applicant, Michael Nickson from Inn Confidence, told the panel: "This ought to have been a straightforward application, but engaging with local residents has been necessary against the backdrop of some misinformation circulating in the area about the nature of the premises and the hours proposed.

"Maybe the name 'Open Late' has contributed to this.

"We heard residents were invited to object as it was thought the business would operate 24 hours, which it will not.

"7am to 11pm each day – these are entirely conventional hours for a modern convenience store."

Mr Atal said, if granted the licence, they would log any issues.

"We are always open to feedback from anybody in the community," he said.

"We bought into this parade purely because we saw the potential."

Cllr Keith Green, chairman of the panel, asked if alcohol would be one of the shop's major sales or an add on.

Mr Nickson said: "It's certainly not alcohol led.

"The expression 'off licence' is misleading – it's a convenience store, a one-stop shop."

Mr Nickson also highlighted there had been no objections from West Midlands Police or the authorities, and said concerns raised by objectors had to be supported by evidence.

"Respectfully I would say we have not heard such evidence," he said.

"Authorities are perfectly happy with the application – they have scrutinised it to death."

The panel decided in a private session to grant the licence, subject to a number of conditions.

These include having an effective CCTV system, keeping the shop and public access free from litter, keeping noise to an "acceptable level" and that there will be staff training before a staff member is authorised to sell alcohol within the premises.