The owner of a new entertainment venue in Shirley faces an anxious wait to learn if he has been granted a licence to sell alcohol. Nilesh Pandit made his bid in person during a Solihull Council hearing in which he was grilled about his plans to open 'Hideout' in Parkgate Shopping Centre.
Proposed venue details
Mr Pandit, who already runs soft play Rainforest Rascals and the 'Blnded' cafe in a row of shops in the centre, wants to convert the former Poundland unit into a venue offering electronic darts, shuffle games, arcade games and screen sport. During the meeting of the licensing act panel, the chairman asked if they would allow walk-ins off the street, with the owner confirming they would. "If I was a betting man I would say it would be 50/50 (walks in and those who booked)," Mr Pandit said.
The chairman then asked how many they expected on a busy night. "Downstairs a maximum of 200 guests," the owner replied. "Upstairs 50 to 100." When the chairman asked if there could be queues backing onto the street, the owner replied this would not be possible as there would be a waiting room with guests escorted by a member of staff to their seat.
Objections and concerns
Next door hair and beauty salon Bei Capelli had submitted an objection to the venue getting the licence. In their objection they 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."
Councillor Paul Goldingay asked what steps would be taken 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".
Decision pending
At the end of the meeting the owner was told the decision would be made in private and he would be notified within the next week. The options available to the panel are 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, or refuse the application for a premises licence.
When the Local Democracy Reporting Service recently visited the area, Mr Pandit said: "Shirley desperately needs something and I hope this will bring what people want. With a lot of stuff closing down it is important we give something for people - interactive games, unique things like VR. Our licence would have to be backed up with the right procedures, trained competent staff. 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."
