After two years of work, both on the ground and behind the scenes, STACK Middlesbrough has opened to the public at Exchange Square, underneath the A66 flyover.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of STACK Middlesbrough for months, after the project was pushed back several times due to essential works on the bridge.
But on Tuesday (December 10), the beer pumps were switched on and the music turned up as the doors were finally opened to punters.
STACK Middlesbrough has opened (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The A66 undercroft has truly been transformed, with 25 shipping containers taking over the space once formerly home to the now demolished Slam! Nightclub.
With five street food spots, three bars, a stage for live entertainment and a huge TV screen, the venue has been given the true STACK treatment – and has been lit up by a sea of heaters, bright LEDs, and plenty of twinkling lights hanging from above.
The venue – which has a capacity for 650 inside and 150 outside – marks years of work for the STACK team and CEO Neill Winch, who said he has “always wanted to open in Middlesbrough”.
Speaking to The Northern Echo at the opening, he said: “This is the best part.
“It has taken a long time and that is nobody’s fault, as highways had a lot of work and it took longer than expected. But we are here now.
“It’s got a really cosy feel and the atmosphere will be unreal – we are really happy.
“We’ll have live entertainment every night, DJs, quiz nights, and all of the statement STACK events like Kroud Karaoke.”
Middlesbrough marks the latest STACK to open in the North East, with locations soon cropping up in Bishop Auckland and Newcastle.
It also follows the launch of the new St James’ Park STACK, which continues to prove popular in Newcastle city centre.
Neill said he is excited about STACK Middlesbrough’s potential and its impact on the town: “This will bring people in and other venues should benefit from it – it is not just about us.
“It is the perfect place [near Middlesbrough Station] and it is really exciting.
“We hope it is well used and enjoyed by everybody. It’s very family friendly, we’ve got some great food options, and it is safe.”
Neill said the firm has been “really supported” by Middlesbrough Council – and while the scale may not be on the same level as the Sunderland or Newcastle venues, he said the effort gone into creating it is all the same.
Regarding the future of STACK Middlesbrough, and how it could change, he added: “I don’t think we’ll be able to expand any further underneath here but we have got a three year lease, so we will see how we go.”
A key part of the new STACK is the range of food offerings, which include Greek food specialists Acropolis, bao bun spot Bao Down, homemade burger venue Brack Burger, duck-wrap site Holy Duck and Zza Pizzeria.
Bao Down Owner Alex Hindson, who is from Newton Aycliffe, was thrilled about the opening: ““It is pretty exciting, this is our fifth store.
“We’ve got one in the West Midlands, and in Sunderland and Newcastle in Grainger Market.
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“This one is a bit of a homecoming as I know Teesside well.
“I have been coming to Teesside Park since I was a kid, I used to go on night outs at The Empire… so it is a bit of a homecoming to come back to a local city.”
STACK Middlesbrough is now open – and you can find out more details about the venue here:
