Viehard Leisure opens Hibou Blanc in Newcastle’s Bigg Market

A new drinking and dining venue has opened its doors in Newcastle’s Bigg Market.

Viehard Leisure has combined the upper ground floor of the listed Sunlight Chambers building on High Bridge with The Gentleman bar to create Hibou Blanc.

The development, which bosses say has created around 25 jobs, features a 70-cover brasserie, bar area and a smaller study space for private dining and other events.

Newcastle-based Abbey Electrical & Mechanical Engineering acted as lead contractor on the project, with North East Collective Design developing the concept for Hibou Blanc.

Nicola Tiffen, partner and head of the commercial property team at Newcastle law firm Hay & Kilner, worked with Hibou Blanc’s management team on the legal aspects of the new venue’s development, including consolidating three different leases.

Stevie Pattinson, who has developed the project with business partner Richard Nellis, said: “We wanted to create a destination venue in which customers would feel comfortable spending plenty of time with their friends and we’re extremely pleased with how this vision has been realised.

“We’ve been able to incorporate many of Sunlight Chambers’ existing features into the Hibou Blanc design and have created a wonderfully elegant location that oozes old school style and glamour.

“We have also assembled a terrific team, which has the skills, creativity and knowledge to deliver the memorable customer experience that we want to provide.

“With all the investment being made in the area, it’s the right time for us to be getting into the Bigg Market and to be playing a big part in the exciting evolution that’s happening there.

“I’ve worked successfully with Hay & Kilner for many years, and while bringing the different lease agreements together made this a complicated project to complete, Nicola and her team delivered as they always do.”

Nicola added: “Hibou Blanc is a real stand-out venue in an area that’s changing extremely quickly and we’re very pleased to have been part of creating something which we’re certain will be extremely popular and successful.”