A POPULAR restaurant is facing a fight over its bid for a major expansion into an outdoor bar and seating area.

Rialto’s, in Ponteland, famously chosen by Mike Ashley, Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United players for a ‘bonding’ meal in 2018, submitted its proposals to Northumberland County Council in June.

But the business now looks set to have to wait until, at least, September before it finds out whether its application has been accepted after opposition to the scheme.

Stuart Young, owner of the Blackbird pub and restaurant, who has submitted objections to the authority, said: “Ponteland is a rural village and the guidelines for the village specifically refer to maintaining that rural element.

“While what has been proposed may be perfectly acceptable in other situations, I don’t think it fits in, in any way, with a rural village.

“We already have significant parking and traffic problems and this will only exacerbate that – it concerns me, how many people it could attract from outside the village, and I don’t think it’s sustainable.”

According to papers lodged with the county council, the venue, in Main Street, is seeking permission to begin serving food and drink in an outdoor area at the back of the main restaurant.

Documents submitted to the licensing department said: “The internal area shall continue to trade in the style of a restaurant. The external area shall provide facilities for the consumption of alcohol, entertainment and food.”

According to the application: Live music would end at 8.30pm Monday to Thursday; and 9.30pm Friday to Sunday and bank holidays, but is seeking permission to run until midnight every day, alcohol service would end at 10.30pm Sunday to Thursday; and 11pm on Friday and Saturday, but is seeking permission to run until midnight every day and opening hours would run 11am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday; and until 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday, but is seeking permission to run until midnight every day.

Plans show the new outdoor area to the rear of the restaurant, with a seating area, ‘food stalls’ and three other areas marked ‘servery’.

Restaurant boss Suna Miah said: “We will explain the plans in September, to the [council’s licensing] committee.

“We’re unhappy about the way some people have portrayed the plans. But the public can come to the committee meeting themselves and listen and hear what we want to do and that might change their minds.”