Hollywood Bowl has secured permission for customers aged ten and up to visit its new venue in Livingston unaccompanied, after appealing a licensing condition set down by West Lothian Council.

The authority had required all children under twelve to be accompanied by an adult when visiting the entertainment complex, however the company’s lawyers succeeded last week in amending the ruling.

“In the company’s other premises across the country it wouldn’t be unusual for ten or 11 year-olds to come into these premises with friends or older siblings, but without someone who is over 18,” said a spokesperson for the company.

“You can easily envisage a time where parents would want some time to go and do some Christmas shopping with the kids and let their kids go and play in the arcade for half an hour until the presents were put in the car. That’s particularly relevant given its location with the centre.”

The licensing board had expressed initial concerns around safeguarding, however the lawyer added “this is a family friendly space.”

“We’re also talking about ten, 11, 12 year-olds here. They are at the stage where they want some independence to go bowling with friends. Rather than staying, the parents might go round the corner for a coffee and give them that little bit of independence, but with that safety net nearby.”