A LIVE music venue with outdoor diner could be coming to the region if a music studio’s plans are given the go-ahead.

Phil Davies, owner of Downcast Studios, has submitted a licensing application to Gateshead Council asking for permission to supply alcohol, for consumption on and off the premises, everyday between 11am and 11pm.

He wants to serve food and drink from a 40-foot container that he has installed outside his Park Lane studio.

Mr Davies also wants to use a mini-stage in the rear courtyard for small gigs, such as DJ or acoustic sets.

To enable this he has applied for permission to host films, plays, dance and live or recorded music outdoors every day between 10am and 11pm.

Recorded music will be played daily, main events such as live shows will only take place on weekends.

Mr Davies, who has ran the music studio for 13 years, said the eatery called Banditos at Downcast, has been a long-held ambition for him.

He said: “Since we closed for the first lockdown I knew it was the perfect time to roll-out plans for the new side of the business.

“I wanted to do spicy food – Mexican and American with vegan options. We will be serving things such as burgers and chilli dogs, triple cheese nachos and burritos, Philadelphia cheese steaks, filthy fries and Nashville chicken club sandwiches.

“For the last 20 years I had in my head that I would be opening a spicy food place with an American style diner vibe with roller girls and boys as servers.

“Around 2001 I looked in to purchasing a petrol station to convert into a diner but it never happened.  I always wanted a spice twist to the menu. I live on spice, I have it for breakfast, lunch and tea.”

Mr Davies said that he was hoping to host a wide variety of musical talent, with gigs being held several times a month, showcasing young and established local bands.

He added: “Banditos Outdoor diner will be serving from a 40-foot container which has an open kitchen on one side and is also the reception and bar area for Downcast Studios on the other.

“The whole site could fit around 300 people but I’m looking for more of a chilled out beats and eats vibe. It’s not about the numbers, it’s more about the food, local beers with all genres of music played daily and most importantly outdoors with Covid measures through-out the site including PPE if required.

“I’m going to try and mix it up a bit, we we’re going to do a drum ‘n’ bass night in August but I had to cancel that to give the application time to go through. I’ll hold hip-hop and reggae nights and hard rock or house. It’s global – there’s something for everyone.”

Gateshead Council’s Licensing department has yet to decide on the proposals.

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