A RYEDALE pub and restaurant could be in line for an upgrade after its owners said they would be forced to make changes to ensure it meets local and national guidelines.

Plans for a new building next to the Queen’s Head in Amotherby, near Malton, to house cold storage and food preparation areas, four staff bedrooms and other facilities have been drawn up. Derwent Vale Building Services, the agents for the scheme, said in a statement to Ryedale District Council that the building was needed to ensure the business complies with environmental health rules.

The application also includes 24 extra parking spaces at the rear of the Main Street restaurant. The owners of the Queen’s Head said customers were currently using a neighbouring business’s car park because the pub did not have enough space, and traffic-calming measures which are planned for the village could reduce street-parking and worsen the issue.