Meat and greet us at our new home
BLOCK & BOTTLE CLOSES ITS DOORS IN GATESHEAD THIS WEEKEND AS IT MOVES TO NEW HOME IN HEATON
HIGH-END butcher and beer shop Block & Bottle is closing its doors in Gateshead this weekend as it moves to a new home in Heaton.
The free-range meat and charcuterie store opened its doors under the arches at the Gateshead end of the High Level Bridge in 2017.
But on Saturday the business will close its first home permanently and head to new premises in the Newcastle suburb.
Block & Bottle describes itself as the UK’s “first dedicated high-end British butchery and charcuterie”, combined with a craft beer and organic wine bottle shop.
In March, we reported how the meat and beer business was applying for a premises licence from Newcastle City Council for a new shop on Heaton Road.
Now, Block &
Bottle has announced to customers on Facebook: “This Saturday we will be saying farewell to our beloved railway arch as we head over the river to Heaton.
“At 5pm on Saturday we will close the doors to our Gateshead shop for the last time. It will take us a few days to move everything over, and fingers crossed everything going to plan we will open the doors to our brand new Heaton Road shop on Friday, May 22.”
The application said: “As well as selling free-range meat, handmade charcuterie, high-end beers and organic wines, we also hold fun, educational events about meat and beer such as butchery classes and meet the brewer events and tastings.
“We are applying for an on and off-site premises licence. Primarily, we will be concerned with off sales but we also wish to have an onsite licence so customers can have a drink and sit inside at the seating area, as well as so patrons can try new beers from breweries, and event guests can try beer and food pairings during classes and events.
“These events would be for a limited number of people and only take place a few times a month.
“We will be playing music as background music and it will not be audible to neighbouring premises or outside the venue.”
The half-and-half shop - one part butchers and one part ales - opened on Wellington Street in April 2017 as a first joint business for Katie Cullen and Steven Warren.
The idea for Block & Bottle was inspired by both their jobs and a real passion for their products.
Katie runs the beer side of the business while butcher Steven indulges his love of free-range and rare breed meats.
The beer focuses on North East and UK breweries, with a few additions from the rest of the world.
As well as all that you’d expect of a traditional high street butchery or beer bottle shop, Block & Bottle has the welcome addition of draught beer for customers to take home in growler bottles (reusable glass jugs for the ultimate take-out craft beer experience).
Shoppers can also find charcuterie including, salami, chorizo, coppa ham, pancetta, guanciale, jerky, pepperettes and more.