Danieli Group to deliver two new north east Stack sites

Newcastle-based leisure company Danieli Group has revealed its plans to invest £7m in the creation of two new Stack leisure hubs in County Durham.

As a result, Danieli has submitted a planning application to convert the former M&S store at Silver Street, Durham into a Stack site, while also unveiling a project at Newgate Street in Bishop Auckland. 

The news comes as the company plans to create more than 300 sites in Durham city centre and Bishop Auckland. 

Stack Durham will have seven street food outlets, five bars, a coffee shop, stage, communal seating and a rooftop terrace, as well as an interactive gaming room with shuffleboard and darts. The venue is said to create around 185 full and part-time jobs.

Meanwhile, in Bishop Auckland, the venue will be a new building set over two floors with a retractable roof. A number of street food traders will be encouraged to take up residence alongside three bars based around a central plaza area, which will have a stage for live music and entertainment. Around 120 jobs will be created.

While the new schemes will be different from the company’s shipping container hubs in both Sunderland and Newcastle, the company said both will “reflect the brand aesthetics” it has become known for.

Neill Winch, CEO of Danieli Group, said: “Durham is a city with an international reputation for its tourist attractions and history and is home to one of the top universities in the country, bringing in students from around the world. Also, Bishop Auckland is a town where we know we can contribute to local culture, jobs, enterprise, tourism and communities.

“We are in the business of transforming places, and we hope to be a catalyst for transformation in County Durham with a combined investment of more than £7m.”

He added: “We believe Stack will be a huge asset in both locations and will also give independent businesses in the area the opportunity to be involved as well as supporting both the day time and night time economy.”