STACK Seaburn pleased with response to new seafront landmark

After months of construction, which was delayed due to the pandemic, STACK Seaburn was finally able to open its doors on September 4 – and since then thousands of people have tried out its food, drink, music and leisure offering.

The venue has had to limit numbers due to social distancing measures, but owners Danieli Holdings said the venue enjoyed a ‘constant flow’ of customers across opening week.

Neill Winch, CEO of Danieli, said: “It’s a challenging time for everyone, and it is so important that we create an environment in which people can safely meet with their friends. I think the success of the last week has been the feel-good atmosphere we have been able to achieve, while still ensuring that people are keeping a social distance, and staying safe.

“We have a brilliant open-air feel at STACK, so though the majority of the venue is covered with stretched tents to provide some protection from the elements, it feels very much like an outdoor venue.

"We have done a huge amount of work to ensure it is a safe place to visit, and I think that has ensured we have got off to such a good start. People can see that we are doing all we can to keep them safe, while still delivering a really enjoyable experience.”

The venue has put in place a range of measures to ensure visitors are kept safe, including a QR Track and Trace system in place at the door on arrival, limited table numbers in line with Government guidelines, hand sanitisers throughout the venue, and a fogging machine that is used every morning to spray the venue, leaving a heavy disinfectant coat on all surfaces.

COVID Marshalls are also providing guidance for customers and ensuring everyone is adhering to social distancing measures. Table service

is in place to limit movement around the site and visitors are also asked to wear a face mask when they move round the venue to get food and visit the toilets.

All staff have had COVID-19 Safe training and wash their hands every 20 minutes as part of enhanced cleaning measures in place to stop the spread of the virus.

Jessica Everest, from The Little Cakery by the sea, said their first few days of trading had exceeded their expectations.

“We had an amazing weekend and we are overwhelmed by the support and feedback from customers who’ve dropped by. We are thoroughly looking forward to our future here at STACK.”

STACK has been created on the former Seaburn Centre site and features a host of food and drinks traders, as well as a dog grooming unit and a gaming unit.

This month’s opening is just phase 1 of STACK with work due to begin on phase 2, at the rear of the site, next year. The second development will take the number of containers to more than 80.

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