POPULAR nightspot Stourbridge Academy has been given the go-ahead to extend its opening hours despite opposition from residents.

The Hagley Road nightclub will now be able to stay open until 6am on Friday and Saturday night.

And the extended hours have been given a seal of approval from Wollaston and Stourbridge Town councillor Nic Barlow (pictured) who had originally branded the proposal as 'ridiculous'.

He said: "I'm quite happy for the increased extension after seeing the relationship which the Academy owners have with the police. The owners are very pro-active and I'm impressed by the way in which they have handled situations.

"From information I have received, I believe the residents are more concerned about what goes on along the Hagley Road rather than at the Academy itself. But the situation does need to be monitored carefully."

Michelle Clark, general manager of Stourbridge Academy, said: "It's very rare that we stay open to 6am in any event.

"What usually happens is that when we close at 4am we suddenly have a large influx of people, anything up to 200, out on the street all at once.

"When we have a temporary event and stay open until 6am, we tend to find people start trickling out on their own accord well before that, so by the time we've reached 6am, there's nobody here.

"That's the only reason why we've applied for the licensing extension.

"The nightclub operates on a Friday and Saturday night, but we also have a large multi-function suite which is used for a variety of events ranging from boxing matches and disability events to hairdressing and dance competitions."