Legal challenge to city centre ‘village’
Reporter THE fate of Newcastle’s shipping container village will be revealed next month after a legal challenge over its alcohol licence.
The £1m Stack development, which had been due to open in time for the Great Exhibition of the North, was granted a licence by Newcastle City Council at the beginning of the year.
But the ambitious plans hit a hurdle when Endless Stretch Limited, who own nearby Earl Grey House, launched a formal legal appeal.
The case was heard in Newcastle Magistrates’ Court last month and a formal judgement by the district judge is expected in August.
Construction is currently underway on the shopping and leisure destination, which is set to take up residence for four years on the site of the old Odeon cinema.
Developers Danieli Holdings is in the process of securing independent cafes, bars, restaurants and retail operators, with tenants so far including Hatch 76, Eatali and Black Storm Brewery.
Danieli Holdings, which also runs Yolo Townhouse and Yolo Ponteland, also plans to include three, rotating seasonal attractions – Antarctica, an ice bar serving beers and cocktails in a subzero setting crafted entirely from ice; the popular Hadrian’s Tipi; and another new arrival for warmer months, Enchanted Garden.
The appeal against the council’s decision to award a licensing application was heard at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, where representations from both sides were made.
Endless Stretch originally opposed the plans at a licensing subcommittee meeting in January.
James Rankin, representing the company at the committee hearing, said: “It’s a very large step up from the original proposal.
“What you will be doing is granting a large vertical drinking bar.
“We have got a huge area where people can wander at will consuming alcohol to their heart’s content.”
The licence was granted on the condition that alcohol would only be drunk in the plaza or seated areas.
Responding to concerns raised by Northumbria Police about antisocial behaviour linked to alcohol, a solicitor for Danieli Holdings said Stack would limit the number of bars to just 15% of the units, or a maximum of six.
The number of restaurants, which would only serve alcohol with food, would be limited to 35% of the container units.
The licence allows alcohol to be sold between 10am and midnight.