00:00A former Newcastle restaurant site left vacant after a bitter dispute with city officials could soon be brought back to life with a fresh new twist on Italian dining.
00:09The old Geisha bar and restaurant in Jesmond here, which stood down in April 2023, may soon be home to a new pizzeria.
00:17The Pan-Asian venue had opened on Sandiford Road in 2020, but closed and made a high-profile clash with Newcastle City Council.
00:24Its owners claimed they had been victimised, persecuted and bullied by the council over a series of planning disputes, including the construction of an unauthorised front porch and a mural on the building.
00:36The council denied any wrongdoing, saying many of the allegations were unsubstantiated.
00:42Since the closure, the site has remained empty, but now it could be getting a second chance.
00:47The Poggy Pizza Experience, known for its Neapolitan-style pizzas at its Westgate location, has submitted a planning application to transform the disused space into a second restaurant.
00:59Owner Pierre Carlo de Roux, a Sardinian restauranteur who lived in Newcastle since the early 1990s, hopes to open the new venue before the end of the year.
01:08He says the restaurant will offer authentic pizza and pasta dishes, plus freshly made Italian desserts and pastries.
01:14Plans for the new restaurant include a redesigned shopfront and the addition of an outdoor seating area.
01:21The proposal promises a more inviting look with high-quality design that aims to benefit both the business and the wider Jesmyn community.
01:29The investment is also expected to create local jobs and boost economic activity in the area, particularly during warmer months when the outdoor space can be used.
01:38If planning permission is granted, work could begin within a few months, with an opening date targeted for December.
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