Plans for Bishop Auckland STACK submitted as excitement builds

The entertainment venue owner which offers live music, food and drink hopes to build on the success of its Newcastle and Sunderland sites by opening two more in County Durham.  

Plans for the new site on Newgate Street, near the market place, involve demolishing the former butcher’s shop and former WH Smith store on the town’s main shopping street.

Demolition work will pave the way for a new 'social hub' with a selection of bars and street food operators around a central ‘plaza’ area. With daily live entertainment, STACK intends to replicate the atmosphere at its two other sites, bringing a concept not experienced previously in the town.

Seaburn STACK has enjoyed huge success since opening in Sunderland (Image: The Northern Echo)

A new first-floor area will create space for a series of tables and benches surrounding an atrium overlooking the stage and plaza below. The second floor/ roof level will consist of extra space with tables and benches served by one bar and will overlook Newgate Street.

In its application, which has now been submitted to Durham County Council, a statement read: “The development will complement the existing retail and leisure offerings and add a vibrancy and contemporary twist to the mix already in the area.

“It will directly generate employment with support services and supply chains and bolster existing businesses and consequently increase and encourage tourism.”

A second site is also planned to open in Durham city centre.

Demolition work will pave the way for a new social hub with a selection of bars and street food operators (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Read next: 

• STACK Durham and Bishop Auckland - what food and drink to expect
• Levelling up cash 'favours south over the north' as County Durham bids fail
• Cheap fares and more services - how bus services will be improved in County Durham

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here

Neill Winch, chief executive of Danieli Group, which owns STACK, hailed the projects as exciting for the areas.

He said: “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 £7 million.

“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.”