Brand owner Danieli Group has submitted plans for a new STACK development in the former Empress Ballroom in the town, with the aim of returning the 113-year-old building to its ‘former place at the forefront of the town’s entertainment scene’.
Built in 1910, the Ballroom went on to become the Carlton Club bingo hall before lying empty and falling into disrepair.
Plans by current owner Mark Holmes to transform it into a leisure and community venue were delayed by Covid and now, although planning permission for a leisure venue is in place, Danieli Group has applied for a variation of the plans to create STACK Whitley Bay.
This includes plans to build an external roof terrace along with the premises licence application.
If successful the hope is to continue along the same route as other STACKs in the group, with a stage for live entertainment and street food and drink vendors.
“Not only will it bring a new dimension to the existing leisure offering, but, subject to planning and licensing, it will bring an underutilised building – and much-loved heritage asset - back into use,” says Neill Winch, CEO at Danieli Group, of the plans.
“We are delighted to hopefully be able to continue to build STACK’s strong presence in the North East with this new and exciting venture.”
Owner Mark Holmes adds: “When we bought the Empress Ballroom, we had a vision for the magnificent venue, it’s really a hidden treasure in the Spanish City.
“Our plans were good, but now Neill Winch and STACK have turbo charged these plans and I am convinced they will deliver the quality venue that will benefit Whitley Bay, residents, and the whole community.”
Plans to open more STACKs
Danieli Group currently operates STACK Seaburn in Sunderland and plans to open venues in Durham, Middlesbrough, Bishop Auckland, Carlisle, Newcastle and Lincoln.
It plans to open a STACK venue in Durham city centre and in Bishop Auckland were approved this spring. The Durham site is set to have a ground floor area featuring eight food traders with four additional food traders and two more bars on the first floor. A rooftop area is also being proposed.
STACK Seaburn opened in 2020 with food operators that include Big Fat Indian Kitchen, Acropolis, Bao Down, Boojie Burger, Chapos Tacos, and Downey’s Fish & Chips.
The group also operated a STACK in Newcastle which closed in May this year. However, it has applied to Newcastle City Council for permission to take on a site in the Stephenson Quarter of the city for a temporary venue.