A NEW Kidderminster nightclub is set to open its doors next week after councillors ignored objections and gave it the go-ahead.

Members of Wyre Forest District Council's licensing committee approved Chris Clegg's application for an entertainment licence for Zanzibar, Castle Road.

The premises was previously the controversial Knights club, which closed last November after former joint owner Lindsey James had his licence revoked in May last year.

Objections to Mr Clegg's application came from the Mirage nightclub and Redwoods winebar, both in Dixon Street.

Mirage claimed there were already enough nightclubs in the area, while Redwoods cited the previous problems with Knights.

It also said Kidderminster's population did not warrant a nightclub the size of Zanzibar, which Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority said could accommodate up to 1,600 clubgoers.

There were no objections from the fire authority, nor from West Mercia Constabulary, which backed Mr Clegg's application.

Councillors approved the application on Monday and Zanzibar is due to open on Thursday, September 21, subject to a liquor licence being granted by magistrates on Friday.

Mr Clegg said he thought the new venue would be an "asset to the town". Numbers allowed into the club will be limited to 1,200.