Food vendors at Stack Newcastle will be cooking up something special to mark their final weeks of trading at the venue but say they will be sad to see it go.
Stack Newcastle on Pilgrim Street has been a huge part of the city's thriving hospitality scene for the last four years, but on May 2 it will close for good to make way for an office block housing 9,000 HMRC staff. The food, drink, and shopping hub made up of shipping containers, has been home to a number of independent businesses over the years, including Sushi Me Rollin' and Texas Smoker.
Traders have shared their sadness at saying goodbye to the Stack as they prepare to move on, but have urged customers to support them during their last six weeks at the site so they can go out on a high.
READ MORE: Newcastle drinkers share sadness as Stack confirms when it will close
Popular Greek street food vendor, Acropolis, has been at Stack for nearly two years. Owners Filip Tachan, Viktor Tachan, and Yusuf Yenil promised customers they will be doing "something special" to celebrate the final few weeks, with details to be announced.
Filip Tachan said: "The past 20 months have been amazing at Stack Newcastle. We have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this vibrant venue and are devastated that it will be closing, however, we always knew it was a temporary scheme.
"Since opening our doors in July 2020, we have become part of an amazing hub of independent businesses and very much feel part of the Stack community. We’ll be sad to see the venue leave Newcastle but would like to assure our customers that they can still enjoy their Greek fix from the Grainger Market, By The River Brew Co, and, of course, Stack Seaburn.
"We’ll also continue to pop up at markets and events across the region."
Acropolis said around seven members of staff will be moved to the businesses' other outlets and even said it would be taking on more staff as it prepares to open pop-ups at the Central Park and Jesmond Beach Box events this summer.
Redhead's Mac 'N' Cheese, which opened in the Stack last year, praised the venue for the boost it has given to growing businesses.
Staff at the site will now work on its street food venture and the business will continue to operate at the Grainger Market and Quayside Market.
Director Jamie Pagett said: "We have a great time at the Stack. It’s been a great location to promote our growing brand and we have thoroughly enjoyed our time trading there.
"Our current plans for the future include our fantastic Grainger Market store and street food venture."
Hatch76 and Bao Down promised customers an "amazing last six weeks" as the businesses looked forward to the future. Alex Hindson, who owns both outlets, said he will be making plans with the staff on the next steps for the businesses.
"Stack has been a perfect starting block for my small business and it has been great to see many other independent businesses thrive here," he said.
"Having the support from everyone at Stack and the other traders has been good for the business and allowed me to grow beyond Stack. Although I’m sad it has come to an end, it was never meant to be permanent.
"We have built a fantastic foundation at Stack and we’ve got great plans for the future. We hope to have an amazing last six weeks, and from there I’m confident things can only go onwards and upwards. "
To apply for a position at Acropolis email: Acropolisjobs@gmail.com
