NEW JOBS NEW LOOK NEWCASTLE
REVEALED: Daring plans for eyesore block
TRENDY new shopping and leisure schemes housed in 60 shipping containers in the centre of Newcastle could create more than 500 jobs.
North East leisure developers Danieli Holdings have revealed plans for Stack Newcastle, a box park which would extend the firm’s lease at the former Odeon cinema site for four years.
The Newcastle firm is already preparing to transform the empty site on Pilgrim Street into a winter wonderland with the return of Hadrian’s Tipi this month, complete with a double teepee, fire pits, German-style retail huts and a host of bars and pop-up restaurants from local firms.
The new £1m plans would see them operate until 2022 from April, with a collection of more than 50 independent cafes, bars, restaurants and shops set inside the converted containers, also providing a platform for North East start-ups, creating and sustaining hundreds of jobs.
In plans submitted to the city council, Danieli Holdings wants to convert the land with around 60 shipping containers over two decks, similar to ventures in trendy Shoreditch and Brixton in London, where shipping container markets attract thousands daily.
The box park would be the biggest of its kind outside London, with documents showing how it will combine elements of food festivals and continental markets.
A lower level of shipping containers could create a row of shop fronts on Pilgrim Street, with a second row opening onto New Bridge Street West.
Galleys and staircases will lead to an upper level packed with popup street food specialists and bars, including some run by Danieli Holdings, which operates Yolo Townhouse in nearby High Bridge and Yolo Ponteland.
Balustrades will look down on a central plaza where a range of leisure events are plotted, potentially joining forces with council programmers to stage events to include the community, including anything from yoga classes and art exhibitions to fashion shows, live music, festivals and even weddings.
Public green space, with potential for picnic areas, seating areas and bean bags on artificial grass are also included in the plans, as well as the potential for a large projector screen.
Three entrances are planned, on Pilgrim Street, New Bridge Street West opposite the central library, and at the corner of the two streets, facing the bottom of Northumberland Street. Danieli Holdings is applying for permission to open from 8am to 1am, seven days a week.
Commercial property agency Bradley Hall is marketing the units, and some of the tenants who will be taking part in the Hadrian’s Tipi event have already expressed an interest.
Tim Aisbitt, associate director at Bradley Hall, said: “Stack is set to support local enterprise by presenting the rare opportunity for start-ups and SME’s to gain a city centre presence adjacent to region’s busiest high street. The development will also host a variety of different events and is set to be a real hub in what is the first of its kind in the region. We are delighted to be working on this exciting new addition to Newcastle and are pleased to already secure tenants off plan and look forward to speaking with interested parties.”