STACKs of praise for £3m container venue
STACK opened for business last night – and customers were full of praise!
After months of construction and a delayed opening due to the coronavirus pandemic, the £3 million shipping container village welcomed its first visitors last night.
More than 20 recycled shipping containers have been used in the building of the site on Seaburn seafront to house a host of food and drink traders, as well as lifestyle shops and facilities.
There was a buzz around the venue as it opened for business at 5pm, with traders and punters confident STACK could prove even more successful than its sister site in Newcastle.
Filip Tachan, 28, who runs the Acropolis stand, said: “I think it’s going to be much busier, there’s a bigger capacity here than in Newcastle.”
Owner of Cha po sT a cos, Gabriel la Chapman said :“I think this is a great opportunity and it’s a big thing for Sunderland."
Mike Burroughs, 61, was among the first customers to visit STACK.
He said: “It’s lovely here and I think it will bring a bit of life and entertainment to the place.
“Sunderland needed somewhere like this, the whole regeneration is exciting and it’s nice to see some investment.”
Tracy Milton, 56, added: “I think it’s a real plus for the whole area and it brings a new kind of entertainment. It’s amazing."
For some customers, like Maureen and Peter McDonough, a visit to STACK was their first drink out since lockdown in March, and people are commenting on how safe they feel.
Maureen, 56, said: “It’s something different. We were only out for a walk and we’ve been drawn in by the atmosphere. The more the merrier down on the seafront.
“It’s the first time we’ve been out for a drink somewhere since March. It’s outside and everything is spaced out which helps.”
Trish and Stephen Scott were also full of praise.
Trish, 54, said: “I think it’s fab, it’s exciting. We come past here on walks all the time and we’ve been watching it grow. We were only out on a walk and thought we’d stop in to see it.
“It’s great that it’s outdoors too. You feel safe and it’s a really good atmosphere.”
Stephen, 55, added: “Hopefully it attracts more people to the area.
"It’s definitely something that was needed and hopefully it will attract more businesses to come here too.”