STACK Wigan food and entertainment venue to open in November

STACK Wigan will launch in November, transforming the former Debenhams unit at the Grand Arcade into a 48,000 sq ft destination featuring six street food kitchens, five bars, and a live entertainment stage.

The venue will include a coffee shop, pool table area, and outdoor terrace, and will be able to host more than 2,000 guests.

STACK team and traders at STACK Wigan (Image: STACK)

Gemma Dishman, director of strategy and development at STACK, said: "Independent street food is a big part of what makes STACK special, and we’ve brought together a strong mix of local talent and well-established food operators for Wigan.

"Each brings something different to the line-up, giving customers plenty of choice and the opportunity to discover new flavours alongside their favourites.

Liverpool-based Pattersons will serve fried chicken and their famed Exorcist sauce (Image: STACK)

"Bringing the former Debenhams back to life is about more than filling an empty building.

"We’re creating a place where people can come together for food, live entertainment and shared experiences, giving them more reasons to spend time in Wigan town centre.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone this November."

ZZA Pizzeria has also been confirmed as one of the traders (Image: STACK)

The confirmed food traders include Pattersons, Acropolis, ZZA Pizzeria, Tikka Bros, Smash House, and Hello Oriental, offering a range of flavours from fried chicken and gyros to stonebaked pizzas, smash burgers, and Asian street food.

Tikka Bros, a Wigan-born brand, will serve tandoor-cooked Indian street food.

Smash House, originally from Manchester, will offer smash burgers made from fresh British beef, while Liverpool’s Pattersons will bring its Michelin chef-developed fried chicken to Wigan for the first time.

Acropolis will be serving up gyros and tzatziki (Image: STACK)

Hello Oriental will serve Chinese roasts, dim sum, and noodles, and Acropolis will offer chicken gyros with homemade tzatziki and loaded fries.

ZZA Pizzeria, already popular at other STACK venues, will serve stonebaked pizzas and sides.

Mike Matthews, centre manager at Grand Arcade, said: "STACK will significantly expand the food offer at Grand Arcade, adding six street food kitchens alongside our existing coffee shops.

STACK Wigan is set to open in November (Image: STACK)

"It gives shoppers much more choice when stopping for lunch or meeting friends, encouraging them to spend longer in the centre and supporting our retailers.

"With its own evening opening hours, STACK will also bring activity to Grand Arcade beyond the shopping day."

STACK Wigan is expected to create around 140 jobs.

Anyone who signs up to the STACK Wigan mailing list will receive a free drink on opening day and will be among the first to hear full launch details.