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Transformation of Newcastle's White Hart Yard finally gets green light

Newcastle city centre’s ever-evolving leisure scene will soon welcome a new hospitality hotspot, as long-awaited plans to transform White Hart Yard have received the go-ahead.

Originally announced back in November 2014, the scheme plans to regenerate and connect venues in Grey Street and the Cloth Market.

Crafted Projects, formerly known as Ladhar Leisure, has now obtained planning permission for the development and in turn plan to create at least 150 jobs across the Yard.

Crafted Projects director Barry Ladhar revealed more on the project and its gradual evolution in the past three years.

Barry said said: “Phase one of White Hart Yard will be open for Easter 2018 after a lengthy delay to ensure the concept was in keeping with the city’s ambition to provide a more varied leisure offering and that it celebrates the many amazing historic features within the buildings.

“We have been working closely with the city council and NE to get what will be our flagship development absolutely right.

“The project is bigger than we first planned as it now takes in Kiss and Bar 24 but the concept remains the same.”

The inspiration for the concept comes from pop up developments in areas of London such as Shoreditch and Borough Market but the architecture, local businesses, produce and customers would make the development distinctively North East.

There has already been interest from local and national operators in the site and Executive chef David Kennedy will play a key role in ensuring the food offering is varied and top quality.

“White Hart Yard aims to be an aspirational and discerning all day hangout showcasing a multi venue experience of bars, food concepts and events spaces,” added Ladhar.

“We want to create a cultural and hybrid festival venue in the heart of Newcastle that will stir up music, food and drink and as importantly discussion, focusing on the very best the North of England has to offer in street food, cocktails, music events and the pioneering craft drinks market.

“Regular street stalls, pop up cinema, guest chefs and masterclasses mixed with the best in food, drink, music and retail will make this a unique Newcastle experience.”

Ladhar, who owns a number of popular venues across the city, believes White Hart Yard will prove a similar catalyst for other businesses, as he argues has Crafted Projects developments on the Quayside and around Central Station and is why he welcomes the proposed Rev Da Cuba scheme.

“High Bridge has attracted so many great little businesses since PTMY opened,” said Ladhar, “while Redhouse and Hop & Cleaver have similarly helped spark renewed interest in the Quayside just as Central Oven and Shaker has done near Central Station.

“We are delighted to be one of a number of local companies helping to move Newcastle away from being seen primarily as a drinking destination to a much broader offering. Local operators continue to champion the diversity in offer that has been key to Newcastle’s reputation.

“The Grey Street corridor and the Cloth Market will be further transformed by developments such as White Hart Yard and Rev Da Cuba, which can only be good for Newcastle and the wider region in terms of the economy and becoming an even more attractive destination.”

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