What could come next as venues' opposition to fan zone Stacks up?

IT HAS proved a big hit with patrons since opening in 2024, but the Stack fan zone outside St James’ Park has become a source of major concern for rival bars and pubs in Newcastle city centre.

- By DANIEL HOLLAND Local Democracy Reporter

News broke this week that an alliance of more than 100 venues is launching a legal challenge against Newcastle City Council's decision to extend the Stack’s planning permission to 2031.

The newly formed NE1 Hospitality Group claims that the move was “unlawful” and has complained that the emergence of the 2,000-capacity site next to the home of Newcastle United has damaged other businesses that have been longstanding fixtures in the city’s famous nightlife.

An application has been made for a judicial review that, if successful, could result in the council’s decision being quashed.

Here is what you need to know about the dispute and what comes next.

What is St James’ Stack?

Constructed from 56 repurposed shipping containers, St James’ Stack is on Gallowgate next to the football stadium. The fan zone and leisure hub is home to bars and street food vendors, has hosted more than 1,400 stage performances, and now employs 175 people.

An earlier Stack development previously operated on Pilgrim Street in Newcastle city centre, before closing down to make way for the new HMRC offices being built there, while another is due to open at nearby Worswick Chambers.

Set up in partnership with Newcastle United FC and its shirt sponsor Sela, the St James’ version of the project opened in summer 2024.

What decision did Newcastle City Council make on it?

The council’s planning committee originally granted planning permission to Newcastle United Football Club Projects Limited for the development in October 2023, for a temporary period of three years. Earlier this summer, an extension to that permission was also granted, meaning that the approval now runs until September 2031.