A huge entertainment and dining destination inspired by Coney Island in New York is set to land in Newcastle this year.
The £16m Freight Island will create hundreds of jobs when it opens this autumn, taking over the former Debenhams unit in Eldon Square. And at a whopping 60,000sqft it is set to become the largest food, drink and entertainment venue in a UK city centre.
The team behind Freight Island promise a diverse and exciting indoor-outdoor space for food, drink, music and immersive entertainment right in the heart of Newcastle, reminiscent of Coney Island and the famous Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, all set within the top floor of the former Debenhams as well as roof top space.
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The venue will include a vibrant mix of family-friendly events, global street food during the day to DJ sets and live performances at night. Freight Island aims to serve up an extensive food and drink offering, with a selection of eateries and food traders, including a service-led restaurant overseen by an executive chef, global street food stalls, and a food hall with communal seating under a retractable roof.
A key feature will be the Music Box—a new venue for live music and touring acts, allowing Freight Island to host a variety of events, including corporate gatherings, art showcases, theatre, national festivals and international tours.
It will also host the UK’s first wine tanks as part of a sustainable single-producer-led wine programme, an Aperitivo cocktail bar and a beer range.
Dan Morris, co-founder and managing director of Freight Island, which launched a successful site in Manchester five years ago, said the destination will be an exciting addition to Newcastle’s city centre, creating an innovative cultural destination for locals and visitors, while delivering a boost to the night-time and visitor economy.
He said: “This venue has been designed with scale, prominence, and long-term investment in mind. We hope to replicate the huge success of Freight Island in Manchester, where it has already contributed over £30 million 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 Newcastle, including everything from kids’ raves and Michelin-star level dining to live performances and some late-night parties.
“Newcastle is the perfect location to take Freight Island to the next level. The city is growing rapidly, and Freight Island will play an important part in that by nurturing local talent, whilst bringing our vibrant mix of food, drink, music, and entertainment to this incredible city.”
Kitty Vaughan, head of UK leisure and F&B at Pradera Lateral, Eldon Square’s asset management team, added: “Our vision for Eldon Square is to transform it into the beating heart of the city centre and the arrival of Freight Island will create a unique space that goes beyond retail, food and drink, blending music, culture, and community to create something truly unique for Newcastle. Securing this £16 million investment is an important building block in our ambitious growth plans for the centre.”
Coun Dan Greenhough, Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Jobs and Skills, said: “The launch of Freight Island at Eldon Square marks an important moment in the transformation of Newcastle city centre and is something that I’m sure our residents will be incredibly excited about. Our city is recognised globally for its leisure offering and night-time economy, and this strategic investment in the shopping centre will ensure that we continue to be an attractive destination for visitors seeking high-quality experiences.
“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.”
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/newcastle-eldon-square-freight-island-30937845
