- Largest single-site F&B and entertainment venue in a UK city centre
- The award-winning Manchester-born brand is delighted to be arriving in Newcastle
- Game-changing leasing deal continues a period of ambitious development and transformation for Newcastle’s premium shopping, dining and leisure destination
Freight Island, a huge, innovative entertainment and dining destination, is set to arrive at Eldon Square in autumn 2025.
Inspired by the likes of Coney Island in New York and the famous Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, the new space spans an impressive 60,000 square feet, and will reclaim the top floor of the former Debenhams unit and additional roof top space.
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 award-winning site in Manchester in 2020.
The venue will transform the top floor of this former department store into a vibrant hub of activity, offering a dynamic mix of experiences — from family-friendly events and global street food by day to high-energy DJ sets and live performances by night.
Designed to cater to all ages and interests, Freight Island will be an exciting addition to Newcastle’s city centre, creating an innovative cultural destination for both locals and visitors to the city.
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 the incredible 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 £30 million to the local economy.
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 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 £16 million 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.
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.”
The addition of Freight Island to Eldon Square is set to be a major catalyst for Newcastle’s regeneration which is being bolstered by a number of significant investments including Newcastle City Council £50 million City Centre Transformation Programme and the extensive Pilgrim Street redevelopment. The venue opening in autumn 2025 will further transform the city centre into a vibrant cultural and social hub, attracting national and international visitors while boosting local footfall and stimulating economic growth.
Freight Island’s 15-year lease at Eldon Square represents a long-term commitment to Newcastle, and with the venue’s unparalleled offering of food, drink, entertainment, and live events, it is set to become a landmark destination for the city.
Dan Morris, Co-founder and MD of Freight Island added: “Newcastle is the perfect location to take Freight Island to the next level. The city is growing rapidly, and Freight Island will play an important part in that by nurturing local talent, whilst bringing our vibrant mix of food, drink, music, and entertainment to this incredible city.”
