Freight Island, a huge, innovative entertainment and dining destination, is set to arrive at Eldon Square in Newcastle, in autumn 2025.
Inspired by the likes of Coney Island in New York and the famous Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, the new space spans 60,000sq ft, and will reclaim the top floor of the former Debenhams unit and additional roof top space.
It will create an indoor-outdoor space for food, drink, music and immersive entertainment right in the heart of Newcastle, after launching its first award-winning site in Manchester in 2020.
One of Freight Island’s standout elements will be its extensive food and drink offering. The venue will host a carefully curated selection of eateries and food traders, including a service-led restaurant overseen by an exec chef, global street food stalls and a food hall with communal seating under a retractable roof.
Freight Island will also host the UK’s first wine tanks as part of a sustainability-focused single-producer-led wine programme, a specialist Aperitivo cocktail bar with expertly crafted drinks and a diverse beer range.
Additionally, they are committed to growing produce on-site and supporting local suppliers and producers from the North East. This sustainable approach is central to the mission of creating a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious venue that will also provide hundreds of jobs and stimulate regional economic growth.
A key feature of Freight Island will be its purpose-built Music Box – a state-of-the-art 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, and we’re delighted to have worked with Pradera Lateral, XPE Group plc and Newcastle City Council to bring it to Newcastle. We hope to replicate the huge success of Freight Island in Manchester, where it has already contributed over £30m to the local economy.
“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 the city, including everything from kids’ raves and Michelin-star level dining to live performances and some late-night parties.”
Kitty Vaughan, head of UK leisure and F&B at Pradera Lateral, Eldon Square’s asset management team, added: “Freight Island is more than just an entertainment venue; it’s a transformative project that will enable us to accelerate the performance of Eldon Square whilst celebrating the incredible culture that Newcastle is renowned for. The £16m investment transforms Eldon Square into the beating heart of Newcastle and is an important building block in our ambitious growth plans for the centre.”
Cllr Dan Greenhough, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for economy, jobs and skills, said: “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.
“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.”
