Huge Newcastle rooftop plans claim to offer 'largest city centre beverage space in UK'

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Freight Island, a huge, innovative entertainment and dining destination, is set to arrive at Eldon Square in autumn 2025.

The new space spans 60,000 square feet, and will reclaim the top floor of the former Debenhams and additional roof top space.

The team behind the concept claim it will create a diverse and exciting indoor-outdoor space for food, drink, music and immersive entertainment right in the heart of Newcastle, after launching its first site in Manchester in 2020.

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Freight Island has announced plans to take vacant space on the roof od Eldon SquareFreight Island has announced plans to take vacant space on the roof od Eldon Square
Freight Island has announced plans to take vacant space on the roof od Eldon Square | Freight Island

It is hoped the site will cover entertainment options from family-friendly events and global street food by day to high-energy DJ sets and live performances by night.

Organisers claim the site will become the largest single-site food and beverage and entertainment venue in a UK city centre.

A key feature of Freight Island is expected to be its purpose-built Music Box, a state-of-the-art 1,200 capacity venue for live music and touring acts. This will allow Freight Island to host a variety of events, including corporate gatherings, art showcases, theatre, national festivals and international tours.

Dan Morris, Co-founder and Managing Director of Freight Island said: “This venue has been designed with scale, prominence, and long-term investment in mind. We hope to replicate the huge success of Freight Island in Manchester, where it has already contributed over £30 million to the local economy.

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“This incredible venue in the heart of a very special city offers a truly exciting opportunity to create a cultural space that could become a focal point of Newcastle for years to come.

“Freight Island Newcastle will take inspiration from some of the world’s leading social and entertainment spaces, and the venue will bring a mix of cultural and immersive experiences to Newcastle, including everything from kids' raves and Michelin-star level dining to live performances and some late-night parties."

Cllr Dan Greenhough, Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Jobs and Skills, added: “The launch of Freight Island at Eldon Square marks an important moment in the transformation of Newcastle city centre and is something that I’m sure our residents will be incredibly excited about.

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“Our city is recognised globally for its leisure offering and nighttime economy, and this strategic investment in the shopping centre will ensure that we continue to be an attractive destination for visitors seeking high-quality experiences.

“The opening of Freight Island comes at a time of significant development and regeneration for Newcastle and will no doubt stand out as prime example of our city’s continued growth and success.”

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