NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week provides record-breaking £1m boost for businesses

NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week hit the million pound mark in January breaking all previous financial and event records, and delivering a huge boost for businesses.

As well as the £1m record takings, there were more diners taking part and more participating restaurants than at any time in the event’s 12 year history. The event has transformed two of the sector’s quietest weeks of the year, post-Christmas and in the school summer holidays in August, into two of the busiest and most profitable.

January’s event, which ran from January 16 to 22, had a “striking” 119 participating restaurants, up on the previous high of 116. More than 58,000 diners enjoyed discounted menus across the city priced at £10, £15 or £20 per person, beating the 53,000 diner record set in August 2022.

The economic benefits delivered by the event extend beyond the restaurants themselves, with bars, taxi companies and other transport providers all noting an uplift in business with many participating venues also able to offer extended hours for their staff during the week, a rarity in the usual post-Christmas lull.

NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week is held twice a year, in January and in August. Inspired by a similar scheme in New York, the NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week event was the first of its kind in the UK. NE1’s first event was hosted in 2011 with 13 of the city’s top restaurants taking part, the majority are still among the first to sign up to take part each year.

Ben Whitfield, director of communications at NE1 Ltd, commented: “We are delighted that January has smashed all previous records, and that we have surpassed the £1m mark. This is a huge milestone for the event and a reflection of its popularity across the region.

“Even when times are tight people want to enjoy experiences and Restaurant Week delivers each time. Roll on August when people will again be able to enjoy what is now a key date in Newcastle’s event calendar.”

“Newcastle’s hospitality sector is one of the most vibrant in the UK, with more independent restaurants per person than any other city outside of London. Back in 2011, we looked internationally for inspiration on how to support the industry at traditionally quiet times of the year and Newcastle Restaurant Week was born.

“The event shines the spotlight on the industry and creates a real buzz in the city for two weeks of the year and there is a genuine hunger for the event as can be seen from the statistics.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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