Member Article

STACK reveals further tenants signed up for new shipping container village…

Announcements made last week revealed Yoga Therapies, For the Love of the North and Eatali were the first named residents at the new entertainment development taking place on the former Odeon site in Newcastle city centre.

STACK, Newcastle’s first shopping and leisure destination using up to 60 shipping containers is due to open this June and further businesses are now on board as part of the exciting development. Popular eatery and mobile van, Hatch 76 is the latest business to join STACK. Owned and ran by Gateshead businessman Alex Hindson, formally of Aycliffe Village, County Durham, Hatch 76 are keen to be involved in a bid to expand the business.

Fast becoming famous for their duck fries, Hatch 76 started out in 2016 after buying a 1976 J7 van. Kitting it out with a kitchen, Alex took the van on the road to food festivals, music and corporate events and found he was really on to something successful. He told us:

“I am a chef of 17 years and have worked in the contract catering world for 10 years, working some really unique venues but over time I began to lose my passion. I was travelling with my dad and I came across the van that I purchased from a local artist in the South of France. This relit my passion which led me to create the mobile catering unit now known as Hatch 76.

“It was a bit of a risky move, leaving a well-paid job to do something new, but it’s a move that’s paid off and I’m really looking forward to what the future brings with STACK.”

Alex has enlisted the services of award-winning interior designer Simon McilWraith of Collective Design to complete the design work on the 42 foot container, which is set to be in-keeping with the theme of the Hatch; bold, loud, funky and unique.

“I love the concept of STACK; it’s about getting passionate, local people together in order to develop something creatively cool. What we offer at Hatch 76 is different and our main focus is simply on getting it right.

“We want people to understand what we’re all about and we’re really looking forward to working with other businesses; STACK is all about the community – working together really strengthens the brand and supports rather than going it alone.”

Equally as passionate about the north east is fifth vendor Black Storm Brewery who’ll be launching their brand new business, Beer Box within STACK this June.

Starting up only 12 months ago but already putting themselves firmly on the map for their IPA’s, bitters, porters and blondes, Black Storm Brewery have found themselves in a unique market that has really taken off in Newcastle.

Operations director, James Davie-Baguley from Whitley Bay tells us about the creation of Beer Box:

“We have 152 beers to sell and currently these are available across selected bars and pubs in the north east. We came across STACK in the early stages of planning and thought it seemed like something that matched our style and brand perfectly.

“Ultimately we want to grow to have multiple outlets across the north east and the rest of the country and for us, STACK was the best place to go. We’re a young company that’s had great successes to date and we believe STACK is all about supporting local businesses which is our biggest mantra.”

Black Storm Brewery also has another project in the pipeline; their flagship pub, Storm Cellar opens on York Road, Whitley Bay this weekend. Storm Cellar will be their first bar here in the north east stocking a range of their own beers, as well as other north east brewers’; great support for local businesses. Mr Davie-Baguley said:

“Two new outlets launching within two months of each other is something we could only have dreamed about, but it’s the hard work of our directors and staff that has got us here and we’re so excited for the future with STACK.”

The sixth business announced is Beacon Burgers which was started after the owner took a road trip round California. America is of course famous for fast food, but they found the thriving street food and food truck scene amazing; offering really great locally sourced products. There was nothing that stood out like that back at home and from there, Beacon Burgers was born.

In their first year of trading Beacon Burgers had been at some of the UK’s busiest events including Manchester’s Parklife, Latitude Festival, Rewind Festival and Newcastle’s very own Ladies Day to name but a few. Now, Beacon Burgers are looking forward to bringing their authentic food back home to the masses of Newcastle.

There is a lot of strong competition for the best burger in Newcastle but for Beacon Burgers it’s all about the quality of the ingredients; they will offer fantastic outdoor reared Northumberland beef on their menu and freshly baked artisan bread. They will open with just a few great choices initially to really focus on quality before letting the chef’s express their creative side with regular specials.

Neill Winch, chief executive of STACK, said: “The development is shaping up to be fantastic and we’re really happy with the businesses we have involved so far. There are some amazing independents that are part of STACK and it’s great that we can all support each other with this new project.”

STACK will be home to over 40 independent traders, from bars, to delis, restaurants and numerous bespoke retail shops, as well as a changing outdoor area starting with an Enchanted Garden, followed by the return of much-loved Hadrian’s Tipi before launching their brand new project Antartica in the turn of the year; an ice bar and igloos serving cocktails and hot drinks in a sub-zero setting.

Further names to be announced in due course. To follow the development visit @stacknewcastle on Facebook and Instagram.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by JAM Prints & Marketing .