North East-based leisure company STACK is set to continue its success this year, with plans to open four new venues.
STACK – which creates food and entertainment venues by using repurposed shipping containers or giving new life to redundant buildings – opened three new sites in 2024.
This spring, the brand will open its flagship site at Worswick Chambers in Newcastle. Located close to the original STACK, this large-scale development will be the biggest to-date – featuring eight bars, eight street food vendors, a coffee shop, a cocktail bar, and SIDESHOW – a competi-tive socialising area offering interactive shuffleboard and darts, and private karaoke booths. The venue will also have a roof terrace and an outdoor courtyard with a stage and big screen.
This will be followed in the summer by STACK Bishop Auckland, a purpose-built two-storey build-ing with a roof terrace at Newgate Street, with STACK Durham due to open in the autumn in the city’s former Marks & Spencer store. STACK Whitley Bay – housed in the former Empress Ball-room – is also scheduled to open in the winter.
Neill Winch, CEO of STACK, said: “We are at varying stages with our sites in Sheffield, Leeds, Carlisle, Wigan, Northampton and Manchester, but we are making great progress with all of them.”
Plans also include developing a second phase at STACK Seaburn in Sunderland.
The continued growth follows the success of the three STACK venues that launched last year. STACK Lincoln, which opened in May, reimagined the former Argos store in the city centre, trans-forming it into a destination featuring 10 street food outlets and five bars, a roof terrace and a coffee shop, with a central plaza and stage.
In August, St James’ STACK presented by Sela – a leisure hub and fanzone jointly created by STACK and Newcastle United Football Club – opened its doors. The 2,000-plus capacity venue – made out of more than 50 shipping containers – brings together 11 street food vendors and six bars.
Closing out the year, STACK Middlesbrough launched in December, transforming the underpass beneath the A66 into a vibrant hub with five street food outlets, three bars and a programme of live entertainment.
“We had an incredible year, with all sites performing well above expectations,” said Neill. “It’s clear that our formula works – a carefully curated mix of excellent quality street food, vibrant bars, and first-class entertainment tailored for everyone.”
