Closed Newcastle restaurant Dadyal could be demolished in eight-storey hotel plans

A closed Newcastle restaurant could be demolished to make way for a hotel, under new plans lodged with city officials.

Proposals have emerged to tear down the old Dadyal restaurant in Howard Street, to the south east of the city centre, and build an eight-storey hotel in its place. The venue permanently closed in 2022 and has previously been in the headlines after university student James Atkinson, who had a peanut allergy, died after ordering a takeaway pizza in July 2020.

Its owner is now hoping to demolish the building and replace it with a much larger development, six storeys taller than the existing restaurant site. An application submitted to Newcastle City Council by Mario Minchella Architects, on behalf of owner Ehsan Ulhaq, describes the building as “derelict, vacant and unsafe” and argues that its former use as a restaurant is no longer viable.

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It says that regenerating the plot for a 32-bedroom hotel, including a two-bed penthouse, would make it a “perfect location for the Quayside and surrounding areas, including local bars, restaurants, shopping, galleries and museums” and represents an “outstanding opportunity to create a viable, economic project in the outskirts of the city centre which will improve local business, increase footfall to the east of the city and support growth of job opportunities”.

The application states: “The current use of the site is shown to not be viable, with the existing restaurant closing down. The restaurant class to the site appears to be outdated, with local people gathering at the Quayside or city centre to eat and socialise. The site and surrounding context are used for shelter and a safe place to sleep. The proposed use has been designed to meet the needs of both locals and those visiting the area, as well as creating a culture for those being employed within the hotel.”

Defending the significant increase in height from the proposed hotel development, the application says that scheme had been “sensibly designed”. It adds: “On the other hand, the scheme had to designed with the use of the building in mind and enable an economically viable building for the client. Moreover, creating a space that can be enjoyed and is practical.”