STACK bosses have unveiled plans to open two new sites in County Durham as part of a multi-million plan to expand the popular concept across the region.
The founder of STACK Newcastle and operators of STACK Seaburn last week confirmed it would be opening in Durham and Bishop Auckland to much excitement.
Famous for turning ordinary containers into buzzing bars, food outlets, shops and even outdoor spaces for live music, the operators have built up quite the reputation.
Read more: STACK Seaburn owner to open in Bishop Auckland and Durham
So it was no surprise that as the news was announced, it sent people from far and wide into a frenzy with hopeful guests desperate to find out more.
Last week, we revealed further details on the STACK developments in Bishop Auckland and Durham including where each new site would be - but lots of details remain under wraps.
So we've decided to take a look at what you might be able to expect from both new sites when they eventually open over the next 18 months.
Where exactly will both locations be and what will be inside?
According to bosses, STACK Durham will open in the former Marks & Spencer on Silver Street, which is currently being occupied by the Yorkshire Trading Company.
They have confirmed that the entire premises will be transformed into an entertainment hub with seven street food outlets, five bars, a coffee shop, a stage for live events and music.
Like STACK Seaburn, it will have communal seating and feature a rooftop terrace, giving the public access to parts of the historic building they have never seen before.
Meanwhile, STACK Bishop Auckland will take shape as a part new-build, but taking advantage of the existing structure, the former WH Smith on Newgate Street.
Read more: Plans to keep Yorkshire Trading Company in Durham after STACK moves in
The site, which will take over units 9 to 11, will transform the former WH Smith building, while a new purpose-built complex will be built in a gap where a former shop was demolished.
It will be slightly smaller than the Durham site with a number of street food options, three bars, a central plaza area with a stage for live events, communal seating and also a retractable roof.
What can I expect?
STACK’s only current site in Seaburn, near Sunderland, has a host of different food and drink offerings all surrounding one big communal area with a stage for events.
Unlike STACK Seaburn and formerly STACK Newcastle, the units in Durham and Bishop Auckland are unlikely to feature any retail at this stage, meaning it will be exclusively food, drink and music.
At STACK Seaburn, visitors can look forward to “street food” with Greek, Thai, Mexican and Indian among the flavours on offer.
Big names include Chaps Tacos, Acropolis, Bao Down and Zza Pizzeria as well as the more traditional, Downey’s Fish and Chips.
It is not yet known who will be moving into either of the two sites, but we can have a pretty good guess that they will offer the same type of food.
STACK Seaburn also offers up revellers a number of different drink options including a Heineken bar, gin bar and a lager bar.
What type of live events can we look forward to?
Almost every day, STACK Seaburn hosts live music in the form of bands and singer songwriters in its central plaza area.
From Ibiza Soul to Country, names from far and wide descend on the venue to keep visitors entertained with some sessions going for two to three hours at a time.
On some occasions, the live stage is turned into a huge TV screen, displaying high profile football games and other live sporting events.
With Durham and Bishop Auckland both featuring the same live stage offering, it is highly likely the same type of shows will be put on.
When will they open?
The Northern Echo only has scarce details on when each of the new sites will open but bosses have given us an estimate.
They say that they anticipate STACK Durham will open to customers in winter 2023, meaning the Yorkshire Trading Company will have to close.
STACK Bishop Auckland is set to open shortly after, with a target date of early 2024. They have released no further details on those dates.
Both projects are likely to see heavy works carried out to transform the existing premises and spaces into the popular sites we have seen in Newcastle and Seaburn.
What do people make of it?
On social media, the news of both sites have sent people into a frenzy with thousands of people commenting on the plans.
Many have shared their excitement at the prospect of Bishop Auckland becoming a new destination for food and drink.
Meanwhile the views on Durham have been rather mixed, but many have said they are excited to see the former Marks and Spencer reopened to the public in full.
Graham Soult, retail expert, said: "Well I think it's obviously good news, it is always good news when you get a big company wanting to invest in places and to improve them and create jobs.
"What's quite interesting in both places - it's going to be a version of what people have come to understand the STACK is, that's quite exciting.
"In Durham, the idea of creating a STACK but in the form of a shell of a department store is really exciting."
'It’s fantastic'
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming STACK to both Durham and Bishop Auckland.
“These exciting venues complement our ambitious plans to regenerate the county and attract visitors from far and wide as we shine a spotlight on all that County Durham has to offer.
“It’s fantastic that both areas have attracted this significant investment. With the plans set to create hundreds of jobs, it will help to boost the local economy.
“Meanwhile, the creation of these unique spaces that offer residents and visitors a combination of food and leisure will also help to revitalise Durham and Bishop Auckland, ensuring they remain attractive to those who live, work in and visit the areas.”
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