A controversial restaurant chain could soon be opening in Newcastle city centre.

American firm Hooters has submitted an application to Newcastle City Council for a pavement license at 20 Bigg Market, formerly home to TJ Hughes. 

Known for its fried chicken, burgers, and waitresses, or ‘Hooters Girls’, the firm wants to create a pavement cafe featuring seven tables and 28 chairs. 

This application comes several years after the council rejected proposals for the chain to open a restaurant in Newcastle in 2015. 

The news of the fresh bid comes via the new licensing application, which details how the outdoor space would be used to sell and serve food and drink from inside the premises during the day, with opening times listed as 11am until 9pm from Monday to Sunday. 

Plans also show how the venue would have the signature Hooters logo installed on the building itself, above the double doors. 

Documents featured in the application detail how staff will service tables all day and that no glass will be provided outside of the venue past 7pm. 

The outdoor space will consist of metal loose tables, chairs, and cafe barriers, and will be “kept clean and tidy at all times and manned through table service by waiting staff”.

The tables and chairs will be stored under the stairs inside of the venue outside of the proposed operating hours, which will have no exceptions for bank holidays. 

There will be no amplified sounds outside of the venue. 

Hooters was first launched in Clearwater, Florida, back in 1983 by six businessmen. 

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It quickly grew across both America and the globe, and now has more than 420 restaurants in 29 countries. 

The chain has so far only opened up two restaurants within the UK, in Liverpool and Nottingham - although that could soon change following the recent application. 

Newcastle Council will now consider the plans.