A Newcastle nightlife boss has hit out at council bosses for not giving venues a “level playing field” to compete with the city’s Christmas markets.
Ollie Vaulkhard, whose firm runs sites including Barluga and the Bridge Tavern, has complained that bars and restaurants on Grey Street have been banned from installing gas heaters in their outdoor spaces to keep customers warm this winter – but a major festive pop-up has not. The Vaulkhard Group director claimed that the Moosenwirt Alpine Bar and Village, set up in a fully-heated yurt that has taken over a section of the famous street, will “undoubtedly take business away” from neighbouring venues
Newcastle City Council said it was “aware of concerns” about the environmental impact of gas heaters, but that they were required for Moosenwirt as it is a temporary structure without access to other heat sources. Mr Vaulkhard told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he had no issue competing with the festive markets and was pleased with the council’s move to make them more focused on local businesses this year, but wanted “a level playing field for us all to trade”.
