Freight Island Opening Autumn 2025
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.
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.
