Member Article

Behind the business: Six years of success for lauded Baltic rooftop restaurant

Gateshead-based restaurant Six, located at the top of the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, celebrates its sixth birthday this week. As Six hosts a stunning array of special menus and celebratory events this week, Jamie Hardesty speaks to founder Peter Hunt about Six’s rise as one of the North East’s most iconic venues.

Six opened in 2009 by hospitality operating group Fresh Element, who also operate BALTIC Kitchen, Garden Kitchen and BALTIC’s event spaces.

Featuring a modern, British style of food and menus which change seasonally, reflecting the best local ingredients available, Six brings a unique flavour to the Newcastle/Gateshead quayside in a setting to behold.

With the restaurant coming into fruition not too long after the 2008 market crash, Six were instantly faced with the difficult task of creating and maintaining an affordable, yet premium restaurant feel, during a volatile period of economic downturn.

However, with 5% year on year growth and an ever increasing reputation as one of the region’s fine dining spots, Six has managed admirably.

Yet being named as the 2013 best restaurant at the Benevolent Awards and finishing runner-up in last year’s Observer Food Monthly Awards has not come easily for Six.

A lot of hard work and fine tuning have been key components of the restaurants journey so far, particularly in finding the best team to deliver Six’s service. “Its about finding the right people and the right balance,” says Peter. “We’ve spent a lot of time ensuring we have the right people working for us who share our values and I’m delighted to say we have that now.”

A renewal of Fresh Element’s partnership with BALTIC saw a new ten year deal being signed in 2013. Despite Six already coming such a long way in a relatively short history, it seems things can only get better with the restaurant’s long term future secured.

Peter said: “We want to be that place people choose to come for a special occasion. We think we provide a great service where people can come and enjoy themselves, whether that’s weekly or once or twice a month. We’re offering a variety of tasty food that we know works and its all from a great location.”

Why not join Six tomorrow (February 6) and be a part of the birthday celebrations - its not to be missed! To book and for menu details tel. 0191 440 4948 or go to www.sixbaltic.com/birthday.