Two drinking and dining leisure hubs from the team behind Newcastle Stack are destined for County Durham under rapid growth plans.
Leisure company Danieli Group, which runs Stack Seaburn in Sunderland and founded Stack Newcastle, has submitted a planning application to convert the former Marks & Spencer store at Silver Street, Durham into a Stack site. And it has also unveiled a project at Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, after being appointed a development partner by Durham County Council.
The multimillion-pound investment by Danieli Group is aimed at delivering a boost to both locations and represents a multi-million pound investment, while also creating scores of new jobs. Stack Durham aims to have seven street food outlets, five bars, a coffee shop, stage, communal seating and a roof top terrace. The plan also includes a games room with a range of interactive gaming experiences such as shuffleboard and darts, using the latest technology. The venue will create around 185 full and part time jobs.
Read more: Stack opens first location outside North East and plans sites around UK
Meanwhile, the Bishop Auckland venue will be a new build over two floors with a retractable roof, offering the chance for a number of street food traders to take up residence alongside three bars based around a central plaza area, which will have a stage for live music and entertainment. Around 120 jobs will be created.
Both schemes will be different from the company’s shipping container hubs in both Sunderland and Newcastle, but the company said both will reflect the brand aesthetics for which the leisure company is known. The news comes after Danieli Group’s announcement of a new opening in Lincoln, in a former Argos store.
Neill Winch, CEO of Danieli Group, believes the two County Durham venues are the next logical step for the company.
He said: “Durham is a city with an international reputation for its tourist attractions and history and is home to one of the top universities in the country, bringing in students from around the world. Also, Bishop Auckland is a town where we know we can contribute to local culture, jobs, enterprise, tourism and communities.
“We are in the business of transforming places, and we hope to be a catalyst for transformation in County Durham with a combined investment of more than £7m.
“We believe Stack will be a huge asset in both locations and will also give independent businesses in the area the opportunity to be involved as well as supporting both the day time and night time economy.”
Once work is under way, the hope is that STACK Durham will open in winter 2023 while work will begin next year on Stack Bishop Auckland with a view to launching in early 2024.
Coun Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Stack to both Durham and Bishop Auckland.
“These exciting venues complement our ambitious plans to regenerate the county and attract visitors from far and wide as we shine a spotlight on all that County Durham has to offer. It’s fantastic that both areas have attracted this significant investment. With the plans set to create hundreds of jobs, it will help to boost the local economy.
“Meanwhile, the creation of these unique spaces that offer residents and visitors a combination of food and leisure will also help to revitalise Durham and Bishop Auckland, ensuring they remain attractive to those who live, work in and visit the areas.”
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