STACK Durham developer 'hopeful' venue will open this year as major update issued
Work has begun on STACK Durham which will open in the heart of the city.
It comes after the Danieli Group's plans for the multi-storey site on Silver Street received the green light from councillors almost two years ago. The new STACK site will feature a coffee shop, food kiosks, bars, and space for live music and events.
A new rooftop area has also been proposed, with a new shop front design like other STACK venues. Work is taking place to remove asbestos from the site, with the interior then being stripped out before further surveys will be carried out.
READ MORE: Top home must-haves for 2025 that Argos shoppers are rushing to buy in the January sale
READ MORE: Northumberland caravan park expansion plans at Belford given the green light
The developers of the site say they are "hopeful" the venue will open this year.
Although STACK is known for converting old shipping containers into multi-purpose units, the new Durham venue will see developers bring the former M&S back into full use. The site was most recently occupied by the Yorkshire Trading Company discount store but only the ground floor was open.
Neill Winch, CEO of STACK, said: “STACK can confirm that work has begun today (January 7) on STACK Durham which will initially see the removal of the asbestos at the site, followed by the stripping out of the interiors.
"Once this is done we will be conducting further surveys so we get a full picture of what else – if anything - may need to be carried out before we can start transforming the building into a STACK. We are hopeful that STACK Durham will open in 2025.”
The popular venue owner has set its sights on Durham as part of expansion plans across the North East, building on the success of its Newcastle and Seaburn venues.
The eagerly-awaited St James' STACK fanzone opened on August 8 last year and within its first four days had already welcomed more than 38,000 guests. Newcastle STACK is set to open on Pilgrim Street this year which will again bring a big screen, a stage for live entertainment and the shipping containers to the city centre.