ABSOLUTE Leisure has unveiled plans to build a £10m office and restaurant complex in the North-East.

The owner of floating nightclub Tuxedo Princess wants to transform the site at Hillgate Quay, in Gateshead, to house four restaurants and office units.

The plans, which have been submitted to Gateshead Council, will see the boat moved to a new location, still being decided.

The project forms part of Absolute Leisure's diversification into new areas. It recently bought York's leading events venue, The Barbican, which will undergo a multi-million pound refurbishment this year.

It also completed the building of 36 luxury apartments in Newcastle city centre and plans to invest in The Angel Hotel, in Whitby, to provide a 150-seat fish restaurant.

Managing director Tony Knox said: "Although Absolute Leisure will always operate leisure venues, we are also investing into prestige landmark projects, which show our confidence in the local economy."

The new quayside scheme is being project-managed by Hall and Partners in conjunction with architects RyderHKS and structural engineers Patrick Parsons.

Graham McDarby, architectural director at RyderHKS, said: "The design for Hillgate Quay makes a substantial yet sensitive contribution to the composition of Gateshead Quayside.

"The high-quality sustainable building is stepped down from the Tyne Bridge tower towards the Swing Bridge and the scale retains key views of Newcastle from Bottle Bank."