By the River Brew venue to become permanent
Gateshead Council is set to approve plans for the removal of the shipping containers that have been the backbone of the popular venue, to be replaced with six single storey buildings on Hillgate Quay.
Located – of course – by the river, the 195 metre-long, 1.5-acre site near the Glasshouse started in 2018 with a temporary consent as a craft brewery and leisure venue underneath the Tyne Bridge.
Combining craft beer, food, and riverside leisure, the site’s container-settlement style offered a flexible format but now it is being positioned for redevelopment into a more permanent destination.
Architect Floc is supporting the project.
The new proposals include six key buildings and structures arranged around landscaped public spaces along the river’s edge, which would consist of a custom bike shop and workshop; a seasonal outdoor bar serveries, including a new ‘Bridge Bar’ beneath the Tyne Bridge; a refurbished café/bar/restaurant, housed within the existing brewery building; a purpose-built single-storey events venue, replacing the former open-air street food market; and an ancillary service and storage building.
The plans also feature enhanced landscaping and new terraces designed to host pop-up events and independent food vendors, ensuring the space remains flexible and community-focused.
Floc’s proposal positions the redevelopment as both a natural evolution and a long-term investment in the cultural and economic life of Gateshead Quays, further reinforcing the south bank of the Tyne as a vibrant counterpoint to Newcastle’s Quayside.
The success of the venue so far was highlighted in the Gateshead Quays Development Framework, which identifies Hillgate Quay as a prime opportunity for a permanent food, drink and events destination.
The planning meeting will take place on Wednesday.
