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Stack has reaffirmed its commitment to opening in Bishop Auckland despite three years of delays.
The Newgate Street venue remains in Stack's "active development pipeline" despite the company scrapping plans for sites in Durham and Whitley Bay.
The company announced those two projects would not go ahead, citing rising development costs, planning and legal delays, infrastructure requirements and wider pressures facing the hospitality sector.
Stack chief executive Neill Winch said: “Our existing sites are trading well, we continue to invest in our current portfolio, and we are actively progressing a number of new developments across the UK.”
The Bishop Auckland scheme has been delayed for more than three years since planning permission was granted in March 2023.
STACK site in Bishop Auckland (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
The venue is planned for a former WHSmith and butcher’s shop near Bishop Auckland Market Place.
Mr Winch previously said: “We are delighted that the council has given STACK Bishop Auckland the go ahead and recognise what it will mean to the town.
“Bringing together independent food traders, an outlet for musicians and a venue for special events will provide a huge boost for the local economy.”
But the project has since been hit by a series of setbacks.
By October 2023, just months after approval, Stack reported delays over party wall agreements, electricity infrastructure problems and engineering work on neighbouring buildings.
The project received a financial boost from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Durham County Council in August 2025, to help close the funding gap.
The funding raised hopes the venue could open by spring 2026.
However, while demolition work eventually began, work was halted in February, when Stack confirmed construction had paused due to structural issues involving neighbouring buildings, as well as a funding gap.
Mr Winch said: “We remain fully committed to bringing STACK to Bishop Auckland and are actively working to close a funding gap to ensure the successful delivery of the project.”
He said the pause followed “movement detected in a building adjacent to the STACK site, which is currently being propped up.”
He added: “As soon as it has been established that there is no further movement and the site is deemed safe to proceed, we will resume work.”
A CGI image of Bishop Auckland STACK
Further delays emerged in May when Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth warned the venue might not open “until next year at the earliest”.
Stack said the scheme faced “unforeseen challenges” and could not move forward safely until issues with the adjoining property were resolved.
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Durham County Council said it was working with STACK and neighbouring property owners and was prepared to use statutory powers if needed to resolve the issues.
However, councillors said any demolition would raise significant financial and legal questions, including who would pay and whether public money should be used.
STACK says it remains committed to the Bishop Auckland scheme despite pulling out of other proposed North East developments.