Expansion plans are announced for a popular Hawick eatery

A beer garden, raised timber decking, gazebo, garden furniture and hard surfacing would form part of the extended offer to customers at the rear of the Santa Marina Restaurant in Teviot Crescent, if plans submitted to Scottish Borders Council get the green light.

The applicant, Simone Falcone, in conjunction with Hawick-based Pyemont Design

Greenarchitecture, says the expansion would not only provide extra facilities but also give space for social distancing.

A report submitted with the application says: "Now that the restaurant has been established for four years it has become apparent that an additional functionality to the rear yard would be beneficial to existing and new customers.

"The use of classical umbrellas, picnic tables, teak benches and Rattan chairs and sofa seats will make the space exciting and friendly.

"Existing surfaces will be levelled and a new topping of porous asphalt will be laid – thus providing safe surfaces for wheelchairs and an ability to be easily kept clean.

"This will all be located behind the adjacent high building of B&M Store, G-Sport Auto and the boundary wall of the restaurant.”

The plan is to open a previously bricked up window to accommodate a pair of patio doors which will lead to a newly constructed decking area with a feature octagonal gazebo and a set of three steps leading to the beer garden.

The spokesperson added: “It will provide alternative pedestrian accessing/egressing to and from the restaurant from the general and disability car parking and beer garden areas. Flood prevention will not be applicable as Scottish Borders Council is currently providing major flood defences that will keep the building completely free in future flooding episodes.

"Pyemont Design Greenarchitecture has carefully designed the additional facilities so that they balance the significance of the restaurant with the need for additional family safe spaces. The beer garden is discreet and subservient, minimalist in presentation which will not detract from the original building and positioned unobtrusively behind adjacent high walling and buildings.”