Stack opens first location outside North East and…

Stack opens first location outside North East and plans sites around UK

The owner of the Stack shipping container leisure hubs has plans to roll out the drinking and dining extravaganzas around the UK.

Danieli Group, which is based in Newcastle, took an empty patch of land in Newcastle city centre and transformed into a two-storey entertainment success that welcomed hundreds of thousands of drinkers and diners over four years, until it was dismantled in May to make way for the construction of offices for HMRC. Its popularity led to owners Danieli Group opening a second on Seaburn seafront near Sunderland two years ago, and the company also recently unveiled plans for a one-year pop-up Stack in Newcastle at a new location.

Now the company is expanding outside its heartland North East for the first time, with the creation of Stack Lincoln. Danieli Group has announced plans to give Lincoln’s former Argos store at St Marks Shopping Centre a new lease of life, with a new scheme which will see the creation of a huge food, drink and entertainment complex.

The historic site was initially St Mark’s Church before becoming a railway station and more recently, St Marks Shopping Centre, which housed the Argos store until it closed in 2020. The new venture will see the building transformed into a 2,000 capacity venue which should bring in visitors from the local area and beyond.

City of Lincoln Council has given the green light to the proposal to transform the site into Stack Lincoln, which will include five bars, 10 street food outlets, a large coffee shop, roof terrace and a central plaza area with a balcony. The development, which will create 160 jobs, will also have a stage for live performances and an outdoor terrace on the first floor, with plans for the work to start next week with a view to be completed by late spring 2023.

The group’s CEO said more Stack venues will be on their way elsewhere around the UK.

Neill Winch, CEO of Danieli Group, said: “Stack Sunderland and Stack Newcastle have been incredibly popular and successful. It’s a much loved brand which provides a great experience for visitors of all ages.

“We have huge plans to roll out the Stack brand nationally and are delighted to have Lincoln as our first site outside of the North East and to be able to breathe new life into this amazing building.”

Valerie Johnson, centre manager at St Mark’s Shopping Centre, said it was a great development for the area, added: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Stack to St Mark’s. This is a fantastic addition to the scheme and the old train station provides a unique backdrop to this exciting concept. We believe Stackwill be incredibly popular with the people of Lincoln.”

The Lincoln announcement follows news that the company is planning a pop-up site in Stephenson’s Quarter, Newcastle.

Subject to planning approval, Danieli Group hope to open a single-storey shipping container destination venue on lane fronting Forth Street, behind Central Station and next to the Crown Plaza Hotel, and hopes it will be up and running in time for Christmas. If given the go-ahead the site will also be home to the popular Hadrian’s Tipi over the festive season.

The company will also soon reveal its new, permanent site in Newcastle.