A North East leisure group is creating 100 jobs at a brand new seasonal outdoor entertainment venue.
Tim Wilks, owner of boutique bowling company Lane7 and Gutterball, has unveiled plans for Burn It Up, a Covid-safe summer ‘festival’ experience close to the group’s bowling alley in North Shields, North Tyneside.
The plans come five months after the entrepreneur had hoped to open an outdoor winter party zone called Wintertown at the same site, complete with firepits, tipi-style bars and themed party nights.
Those plans were cancelled as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, forcing Mr Wilks to hit the pause button.
Now, however, the leisure firm owner is set to open Burn It Up, based close to the Gutterball venue opposite Royal Quays in North Shields.
The outdoor venue pledges to host the best outdoor festival-style street food, drinks, and entertainment from Monday, April 12.
It is also recruiting around 100 new team members to join the Burn It Up team, helping the much-needed drive for hospitality jobs in the North East.
With plans to cater for up to 1,000 guests across the vast 1.6-acre space, the site will have five areas – The Pavilion, The Picture Yard, The Village Hall, Gin Garden, and Feastery Street – a street food collective offering the best of the North East foodie scene including Acropolis Street Food, What’s Your Beef? specialty burgers, Wood Fired Pizza Truck and more.
Most Read
Mirroring the Government’s roadmap on easing lockdown restrictions, Burn It Up has announced a line-up of events and attractions, including an array of fairground rides, live music, comedy nights, and bingo in the 400-seater Pavilion.
The Picture Yard will play host to screenings of cult film and this summer’s top sporting moments, including the delayed Euro 2020 matches, Wimbledon, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Burn It Up will also become hub to a range of child-friendly clubs, entertainment, and kids’ films, with dedicated family-friendly morning opening hours.
Get business news direct to your inbox
There's no better time to stay up to date with economic and business news from your region. By signing up for our daily newsletters, email breaking news alerts and weekly round-ups from all the major sectors, you get our journalism direct by email. To sign up, find out more and see all of our newsletters, follow the link here
Owner Mr Wilks said: “With outdoor socialising becoming the new norm in hospitality, we want to inject some much-needed entertainment back into the calendar. Crucially, this will be done in a safe and secure way in the lead up to summer and beyond.
“We’ve worked very closely and positively with all parties to make sure we deliver a safe, friendly environment for people to enjoy themselves in what is a large outdoor space.
“We’re encouraging everyone to book ahead and it’s heartening to see those bookings coming in thick and fast.”
Don’t miss
Covid-safe measures will be in place throughout the site.
Staff will meet guests at the entrance to walk them to their reserved table. Cashless, QR code-led ordering of food and drink at tables means guests can stay seated during their visit, minimising unnecessary movements around the venue.
Tables across the outdoor venue will be socially distanced, with hand sanitiser stations located throughout.