By the River Brew speak out ahead of Gateshead closure in emotional statement

It's been one of the best places on Tyneside for an al fresco drink and bite to eat for a good few years now but, after this weekend, By The River Brew Co. will be no more, after the shock news that the hugely popular Gateshead development will shut down.

It was back in 2018 that By the River Brew first opened its gates on the Gateshead side of the river, quickly having customers flocking in their droves, as critically acclaimed restaurant Träkol became a big hit with its Sunday dinners, as well as earning praise from Gordon Ramsay. Over its six year stint on the Quayside, By The River Brew has also been a staple of many people's lockdown walks, with people calling in to its resident coffee shop, when allowed, to get a beverage on their route, as well as being a big hit with football fans for its screenings of World Cup and Euros .

This summer, it became home to HWKRLAND, which hosted events like a May the 4th Star Wars special and an Oasis night, as well as being packed out as fans on Tyneside cheered England all the way to the Euro 2024 final. It was the team behind HWKRLAND that first broke news of the closure, taking to Facebook on Monday to blame the delay in 'the deconstruction of the Tyne Bridge works' for their tough decision, which they said was made with a 'heavy heart.'

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There had been ambitious plans ready to go for a huge Christmas village along the Gateshead riverbank but that will longer happen and, expressing their own sadness as the shutting down, the By The River Brew owners also took to Facebook to write: "What was supposed to be for four years became six. We have brewed brilliant beer, welcomed plaudits from all over the world to our Michelin BIB nose to tail restaurant and to our vibrant street food market. It is now time however for us to close the curtain at our site here on the wonderful South Bank of The Tyne."

Confirming that this coming weekend will be the last one of trading, the post added: "Our last day of opening will be this Sunday 29th September. We wish to thank the many thousands who have joined us here in Gateshead and been part of our journey.

"We hope you will join us this week to say goodbye to what has been an incredible project to be part of.Thanks for riding with us"