STACK Durham topples as project abandoned after years of waiting.

STACK, which were due to open a Durham City branch in the old M&S unit on Silver Street, have shelved plans for the venue. The cancellation comes after years of delays.

Stack Leisure has officially scrapped its plans to open container-style leisure and food venues in Durham and Whitley Bay, citing capacity limits, planning delays, and rising costs.

Originally announced in 2023 with promises of swift openings, the Durham project—which aimed to convert the former M&S building on Silver Street into a multi-level food, bar, and entertainment hub—faced repeated setbacks, leading local MP Mary Foy to label it a "white elephant" earlier this year.

Stack CEO Neill Winch explained that while the company initially hoped to launch three to four sites annually, logistical hurdles and regeneration realities capped that at two.

"We recognise that there will be a huge amount of disappointment about these decisions,"

"And these are not decisions we have taken lightly but we have had to look about where to focus our time, investment and resources."

Winch added that stepping aside is the fairest path forward for both locations:

"Rather than continuing to delay progress on these sites, we believe it is the best interests of both Durham and Whitley Bay to step aside and allow alternative providers to come forward." “Stack was fully committed to opening at both Whitley Bay and Durham and remained committed to the projects for a considerable period of time."

“When these sites were originally added to our development pipeline, our ambition was to deliver three to four new venues per year but in reality two sites a year is a more realistic number." “While that ambition remains unchanged, the reality of delivering large-scale regeneration and hospitality projects has meant that pace has not been achievable."

“We do not want to continue holding back regeneration and investment while projects move further and further down our timeline so have had to make this very difficult decision.”

Despite pulling out of Durham and Whitley Bay, Stack confirmed that its separate development in Bishop Auckland remains on track, and the company has not ruled out returning to Durham if a better opportunity materialises in the future.