One of Newcastle’s top restaurants has unveiled plans to open a new microbrewery and a “vibrant” outdoor space.
Blackfriars, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has lodged proposals to make more renovations to its home in a 13th century Dominican friary in the city centre. The latest transformation of the historic site would see its “somewhat neglected” cloister courtyard become a revived space used by both restaurant diners and for community events, including markets and public performances.
Plans submitted to Newcastle City Council would also see Blackfriars’ former Chapter House brought back into use as a small artisan brewery. The restaurant has become one of the most highly-regarded eateries on Tyneside since opening in the ancient walls of the friary in 2001 and owners Sam and Andy Hook are hoping to maximise its potential by rejuvenating two underused spaces.
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Andy said it was “still very early days” for the scheme, but that it could bring new life into a courtyard area that can currently turn into a “muddy mess” when it rains. He added: “It is not as nice as it could be and we are determined to refresh it and make it somewhere which will draw tourists as well.
“We would like to introduce community things back here, whether that is a farmers market or something like school performances. We have always tried to encourage people to learn, not just about food and where it comes from but also about the heritage of Blackfriars and the Dominicans.”
There are also plans to refurbish Blackfriars’ information boards, which have “fallen into disrepair”, and to commission a new audio-visual experience that would allow visitors to take self-guided tours of the site.
While the proposed brewery would be very small and produce a very limited amount of beer that could be sold in the restaurant, it would be open to visitors to tour and buy ales from. It would also restore the Chapter House to one of its former uses, having been a meeting space for the Bakers and Brewers Guild until around 1898 – something which the owners hope will “help extend the narrative of Blackfriars unique heritage”.
