Leisure company Danieli Group has unveiled plans to invest £7m in the creation of two Stack leisure hubs in County Durham.

The Newcastle business behind the hugely successful Newcastle and Seaburn Stack drinking, dining and shopping destinations, plans to create more than 300 at sites in Durham city centre and Bishop Auckland. The company has submitted a planning application to convert the former Marks & Spencer store at Silver Street, Durham into a Stack site, while simultaneously unveiling a project at Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, after being appointed a development partner by Durham County Council.

Danieli Group says the significant investment – which follows a recent announcement of a Stack opening in Lincoln – is aimed at delivering a boost to both locations, while also creating employment. Stack Durham will have seven street food outlets, five bars, a coffee shop, stage, communal seating and a roof top terrace, as well as an interactive gaming room with shuffleboard and darts. The venue will create around 185 full and part time jobs.

Meanwhile, in Bishop Auckland, the venue will be a new building set over two floors with a retractable roof. A number of street food traders will be encouraged to take up residence alongside three bars based around a central plaza area, which will have a stage for live music and entertainment. Around 120 jobs will be created.

While the new schemes will be different from the company’s shipping container hubs in both Sunderland and Newcastle, the company said both will reflect the brand aesthetics it has become known for.

Neill Winch, CEO of Danieli Group, said: “Durham is a city with an international reputation for its tourist attractions and history and is home to one of the top universities in the country, bringing in students from around the world. Also, Bishop Auckland is a town where we know we can contribute to local culture, jobs, enterprise, tourism and communities.

“We are in the business of transforming places, and we hope to be a catalyst for transformation in County Durham with a combined investment of more than £7m.

“We believe Stack will be a huge asset in both locations and will also give independent businesses in the area the opportunity to be involved as well as supporting both the day time and night time economy.”

Once work is under way, the firm plans to launch Stack Durham in winter 2023 while work will begin next year on in Bishop Auckland with a view to launching in early 2024.

Coun Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming STACK to both Durham and Bishop Auckland.

“These exciting venues complement our ambitious plans to regenerate the county and attract visitors from far and wide as we shine a spotlight on all that County Durham has to offer. It’s fantastic that both areas have attracted this significant investment. With the plans set to create hundreds of jobs, it will help to boost the local economy.

“Meanwhile, the creation of these unique spaces that offer residents and visitors a combination of food and leisure will also help to revitalise Durham and Bishop Auckland, ensuring they remain attractive to those who live, work in and visit the areas.”