Freight Island comes to Newcastle

An entertainment operator has unveiled £16 million plans for “something truly unique” in a city centre shopping mall. 

Freight Island is opening a base in Newcastle's Eldon Square.

Spanning 60,000sq ft, the venue, inspired by the likes of Coney Island in New York and the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, will move into a former Debenhams site and rooftop space.

Bosses say it will “become a focal point of Newcastle for years to come”, offering “a mix of cultural and immersive experiences” while creating hundreds of jobs.

Originally launched in Manchester in 2020, Freight Island offers a mix of global street food, a service-led restaurant, cocktail and wine bars, and a Music Box space capable of hosting live performances, festivals and cultural events.

Dan Morris, Freight Island co-founder and managing director, said: “This venue has been designed with scale, prominence and long-term investment in mind. 

“We hope to replicate the huge success of Freight Island in Manchester, where it has already contributed over £30 million to the local economy. 

“Newcastle is the perfect location to take Freight Island to the next level.

“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.”

Kitty Vaughan, head of UK leisure and F&B at Pradera Lateral, Eldon Square’s asset management team, added: “Our vision for Eldon Square is to transform it into the beating heart of the city centre.

“The arrival of Freight Island will create a unique space that goes beyond retail, food and drink, blending music, culture and community to create something truly unique.

“Securing this £16 million investment is an important building block in our ambitious growth plans for the centre.”

The venue will also add to Newcastle’s wider city centre regeneration, which includes wider investment projects such as Newcastle City Council’s £50 million City Centre Transformation and the Pilgrim Street redevelopment.

Councillor Dan Greenhough, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for economy, jobs and skills, added: “The launch of Freight Island at Eldon Square marks an important moment in the transformation of Newcastle city centre, and is something I’m sure our residents will be incredibly excited about.

“Our city is recognised globally for its leisure offering and night-time economy, and investment in the shopping centre will ensure we continue to be an attractive destination for visitors seeking high-quality experiences.”

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