When the first STACK opened to the public of Newcastle in August 2018, few anticipated how popular it would become. With this experience behind them, Danieli Holdings have gone one step further and have begun to expand the STACK model elsewhere, beginning with Seaburn.
CEO Neill Winch alongside Dunwoodie Architects Director, Peter Swift aimed to recreate the atmosphere and feel that was previously generated in Newcastle, but on the seafront at Seaburn, bringing a concept not experienced before in the area.
The site at Seaburn is larger than at Newcastle and its design takes advantage of the beautiful sea views. Once inside, there is a large central plaza filled with seating, street-food vendors, and bars. There is also a covered ‘festival style’ stage for singers, bands & other forms of entertainment to create the crackling atmosphere that STACK has become renowned for. On the first floor, there are further seating areas and bars, complete with panoramic views up and down the coastline. A special addition to STACK Seaburn is the bridal suite which incorporates a private external terrace overlooking the sea.
Although the opening of STACK Seaburn was pushed back a week due to poor weather, it was not a cause for concern for Neill Winch, who said, “We are very excited to welcome people to the venue and let them experience the STACK atmosphere. I truly believe we have created something unique and special for Sunderland, a vibrant destination that will delight visitors and keep them coming back time and time again for a great experience”.
Some may view opening during a worldwide pandemic a slightly risky decision. Yet with measures in place to ensure the safety of customers and staff alike, the team at STACK Seaburn have everything in hand to enable guests to enjoy their visit safely.
STACK Seaburn plays host to a variety of dining outlets and street-food vendors that cover an extensive range of culinary delights. From fish and chips to Greek and Mexican food, to burgers, Thai or Italian cuisine, STACK Seaburn has something to satisfy all taste-buds. Natalie Brand, the owner of Healthy Thaim, focuses her food around a Slimming World diet plan and, as a result, many of the dishes are zero syns, making Healthy Thaim very unique. She wanted to expand her business with a container at STACK Seaburn and said, “We specialise in healthy food and that, in particular, is something that’s been missing in Seaburn”. Since expanding her business to Sunderland, Healthy Thaim has been voted Number One on Trip Advisor for the most healthy place to eat in Sunderland!
Although everyone tries to be healthy from time to Thaim, we all need a treat and that is where The Little Cakery comes in, to satisfy those of you with a sweet tooth! They sell cupcakes, traybakes, cheesecakes, cookies and even family picnic boxes to take onto the beach. There is also a wide selection of bars at Seaburn, including, the Heineken Bar, The Gin Cabinet and Barley and Me. Then there are Yolo, a STACK favourite, Hop House 13, both bars with spectacular views of the seafront.
Like STACK Newcastle, Seaburn is more than just a venue for food and drink. At Seaburn, there are two entirely new businesses to add to STACK’s repertoire. The Game Cabin, run by Mark and David Potts-Brown is a place to come and play together. The Game Cabin brings together a mix of XBOX, PlayStation and PlayStation VR all inside a shipping container. Leave your children to game away the hours outside of their bedrooms or take part yourselves in tournaments and events!
If gaming is not for you and you prefer the great outdoors, pop into Woofs ‘n’ Scruffs dog parlour after a walk on the beach. The dog parlour is a place where your pups can get all cleaned up in the dog washing stations, as well as get a good grooming before heading home. Woofs ‘n’ Scruffs also sell a host of dog accessories, including dog cakes and dog ice cream for the warmer days!
Although STACK Seaburn was created to bring a new lease of life to this corner of Sunderland, it has done so much more than that. Neill Winch and Danieli Holdings have established a social and leisure hub in an environment that caters for all, from children and adults alike, to even the smallest of our furry friends!
