It will be the largest single-site F&B and entertainment venue in a UK city centre. Credit: via BWP

Freight Island comes to Eldon Square

Following on from its success in Manchester, the Tivoli-inspired dining and entertainment destination has taken a 15-year lease on 60,000 sq ft of space and will open in autumn.

Occupying the former Debenhams unit and a roof-top space in Newcastle’s city centre shopping centre, Freight Island will focus on food, drinks, music, and immersive entertainment.

The deal was brokered directly between Freight Island and Pradera Lateral, Eldon Square’s asset management team.

Inspired by New York’s Coney Island and Copenhagen’s Tivoli, the destination is intended to appeal to visitors and locals of all ages.

The project comes amid the backdrop of the ongoing Pilgrim Street redevelopment and Newcastle City Council’s £50m city centre transformation plan.

The venue plans to host global street food stalls, a service-led restaurant, and a food hall with communal seating and a retractable roof.

In terms of drinks on offer, Freight Island will have a specialist cocktail bar and the UK’s first wine tanks, which are part of a focus on single producer-led wine.

Kitty Vaughan, head of UK leisure and F&B at Pradera Lateral, added: “The £16m investment transforms Eldon Square into the beating heart of Newcastle and is an important building block in our ambitious growth plans for the centre.”

Cllr Dan Greenhough, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for economy, jobs and skills, said: “The opening of Freight Island comes at a time of significant development and regeneration for Newcastle and will no doubt stand out as prime example of our city’s continued growth and success.”

Dan Morris, co-founder and managing director of Freight Island said: “This venue has been designed with scale, prominence, and long-term investment in mind, and we’re delighted to have worked with Pradera Lateral, XPE Group plc and Newcastle City Council to bring it to Newcastle.

“We hope to replicate the huge success of Freight Island in Manchester, where it has already contributed over £30m to the local economy.

“This incredible venue in the heart of a very special city offers a truly exciting opportunity to create a cultural space that could become a focal point of Newcastle for years to come.

“Freight Island Newcastle will take inspiration from some of the world’s leading social and entertainment spaces, and the venue will bring a mix of cultural and immersive experiences to the city, including everything from kids’ raves and Michelin-star level dining to live performances and some late-night parties.”

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

Related Articles

Subscribe for free

Stay updated on the latest news and views in North East property

Subscribe

Keep updated on the latest news, deals, views and opportunities in North East property, in your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to Place Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below