THE boss of Stourbridge nightclub The Arena has stressed the club is staying put after news emerged that a plan has been submitted for its demolition.

A proposal submitted to Dudley Council planners is seeking outline permission for a residential development on the site of the Hagley Road nightspot.

But a note from traffic bosses on the authority's planning portal says the application, submitted by company director Paul Morrison, is "purely for the demolition" of the club.

The council's highways department states: "It is noted that the application form states there will be no increase in residential dwellings so it is considered that this application is purely for the demolition of the existing building and any proposal for future residential development has no indication of scale."

However - the club continues to operate and has events booked up until 2020 including an evening with football star Gazza on September 27.

And manager Jay Lewis has told the News: "Plans won’t be put into action for a good many years yet."

He said the outline proposal was purely speculative as work to build a new care home has got underway next door - and he added: "It's to see if it would ever be considered."

Jay says he has signed a four-year lease to run the club - having taken over as manager in February and he added: "We're ploughing money into the place."

Plans are afoot to open a karaoke bar at the venue, which has operated as a nightclub since the 1990s, and Jay says he is looking to increase use of the club's revamped function room - the Danilo Suite.

He is also planning to start an under 18s night at the venue and said: "There's nowhere for 16 and 17-year-olds to go; we're trying to offer a safe place."

Plans to incorporate a bar and grill are also being mooted.

Jay added: "It's the only club between Worcester and Birmingham. It's not going anywhere."