The owner of a new entertainment venue has been granted a premises licence despite local concerns.

The decision will come as a relief to Nilesh Pandit who recently told the Local Democracy Reporting Service 'Hideout' in Parkgate Shopping Centre is something desperately needed in Shirley.

Mr Pandit – who already runs soft play Rainforest Rascals and the 'Blnded' cafe in a row of shops in the centre – applied for the licence as part of plans to convert the former Poundland unit into the venue offering electronic darts, shuffle games, arcade games and screen sport.

But next door hair and beauty salon Bei Capelli submitted an objection saying the area had become a playground for youngsters with balaclavas riding through and robbing elderly women of their handbags.

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

During a meeting of the licensing act panel last month Mr Pandit faced tough questions over what would be done to prevent anti-social behaviour.

Mr Pandit replied that there would be security cameras throughout the venue and ID checks would be carried out by staff.

He also told the committee he had been running businesses for 15 years showing he was competent and would "make it work".

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Councillors also asked if they would allow walk-ins off the street and if queues could form backing onto the street.

"If I was a betting man I would say it would be 50/50 (walks in and those who booked)," Mr Pandit said, adding queues would not be possible as there would be a waiting room with guests escorted by a member of staff to their seat.

At the meeting the owner informed the panel that, following discussions with West Midlands Police and Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership, he had accepted additional conditions.

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

Among the conditions is having trained security staff on site Friday and Saturday evenings; staff will be trained to spot and refuse service to anyone who is drunk; CCTV has to be installed to cover all areas and the layout of the venue has to be designed to avoid overcrowding.