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Chronicle Live
National
Sophie Brownson

Thousands expected to queue up for Stack's final weekend as Newcastle bids farewell

Thousands of people are expected to visit Stack for the last time over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

The Pilgrim Street venue is gearing up for a bumper weekend of music and entertainment to ensure it goes out on a high before closing for good at midnight on Monday, May 2. Stack bosses are expecting to see huge crowds pay their final visit to the site over the course of the weekend to enjoy the food and drink on offer from traders.

A Stack spokeswoman warned customers planning to visit over the next three days to anticipate large queues.

READ MORE: Plans to change Newcastle's former Chinese restaurant Lau's 202 Buffet House into 'all you can eat' venue

"We expect to see thousands turn up over the long weekend to pay their final visit," they said.

"Customers should anticipate queues but we hope to get as many people through the door as possible."

Stack Newcastle will be holding a 'closing party' on its last day. (Sorted PR)

Stack's closure will make way for a new office block on the site that will house 9,000 staff from HMRC.

The food, drink and shopping hub, which is made up of shipping containers, opened four years ago.

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.

Over the years, the venue has been home to around 40 independent businesses and has supported more than 160 jobs. Stack bosses have confirmed that all of the staff it has directly employed have either been relocated within its group or being supported to find new employment in the city.

Meanwhile, Stack traders shared their sadness that the venue will close as they prepare to serve their last customers. Greek street food venue Acropolis said it would be a "bittersweet" weekend for staff.

Owner Filip Tachan said: "This weekend will be bittersweet. We’ve had an amazing opportunity to grow our business at Stack Newcastle and we’re really looking forward to the long weekend of celebrations.

"We’re gearing up for what we expect to be a really busy and emotional final few days. We’ll be very sad to see it go, there’s nowhere else quite like it, the atmosphere every day is so joyful."

Acropolis reassured customers it will continue to trade at the city's Grainger Market and pop-up venues including Central Park and Jesmond Beach Box.

"Thankfully we will still be part of Stack as we also have a unit at their Seaburn venue," Filip continued.

"We would encourage people who love Stack Newcastle to come along to Stack Seaburn. The location is amazing and the atmosphere and street food on offer are just as good."

Redhead's Mac 'n' Cheese also said it would be sad to leave the venue.

Director Jamie Pagett said: “Unfortunately, this is the last weekend at such a great venue. It will be a huge miss to the city and our business, however, the final weekend will be a great atmosphere and send off."

This weekend, customers can expect live music on Friday, April 29, Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, before the 'closing party' which will run from 10am until midnight on Monday, May 2.

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