Newcastle's Stack is bracing itself for an "emotional" Bank Holiday weekend as it welcomes partygoers for the last time.
The Pilgrim Street venue will shut at midnight on Monday, May 2 to make way for a new office block that will house 9,000 staff from HMRC. However, Stack has promised customers it will go out on a high by holding a major May Bank Holiday party to celebrate its last day.
Stack bosses are urging people to show their support for traders by paying their last visit to the venue over the long weekend. Neill Winch CEO Danieli Group, owners of Stack Newcastle, said it is a "sad and emotional" time for staff and businesses.
READ MORE: Newcastle's Stack to go out with a bang as it holds May Bank Holiday closing party on final day
“We’ve had an amazing few years at Pilgrim Street and achieved more than we could have ever imagined so we will all be very sad to see Stack Newcastle close on Monday at midnight," Neill said.
"It’s been overwhelming to read all of the positive comments and messages that have flooded in since we announced the closure and we can’t thank our customers enough for the support they have shown. Therefore, it was only right that we go out with a big celebration right across the Bank Holiday weekend and enjoy everything that we have on offer for one last time.
"We would urge everyone to come along over the next few days for their last Stack experience at Pilgrim Street and soak up the atmosphere that we have all come to love. It’s going to be a very sad and emotional weekend for all of our staff, traders, customers, and entertainers, who are the heart and soul of Stack - without any of them this would not have been possible."
The food, drink and shopping hub, which is made up of shipping containers, opened four years ago to bring new retail and leisure operators to the city centre. Over the years, it has been home to some of Newcastle's most popular independent shops and food vendors, including Acropolis, Redhead's Mac 'N' Cheese and Hatch 76.
Stack has also been one of the liveliest venues in the city, hosting entertainment such as the popular 'Kroud Karaoke' and pop-ups including Hadrian’s Tipi which have been a hit with drinkers. Looking back over the years, Neill added: "We’ve been home to some incredible street food traders and independent retailers.
"We’ve hosted some incredible events and pop-ups including Hadrian’s Tipi and the Ice Bar. And we’ve been a platform for some incredible musicians and artists who have provided entertainment day in and day out."
This weekend, customers can expect live music on Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1 before the 'closing party' which will run from 10am until midnight on May 2. Although no plans to reopen the Stack at another location in the city have been announced, Newcastle Council hinted last month that an "alternative site" could be in the pipeline.
For now, though, customers will have to make a trip to Seaburn to get their Stack fix.
Neill added: "Customers will still be able to get their Stack fix at Stack Seaburn, located on the stunning Sunderland coastline and home to some incredible street food traders and lifestyle businesses and as always a fantastic line-up of entertainment.”
