A spokesperson for STACK says that other hospitality outlets will benefit from the new venue after a Teesside business owner criticised the lack of local food traders at the site.

Sami Mayhew, who owns You Knead Pizza alongside her husband Adam, explained she was “disappointed” to see the lineup of street food traders for STACK’s Middlesbrough site, which were announced last week. The STACK spokesperson said they always ask for expressions of interest, review the applications and then select those they feel will be the best fit

STACK is a company that has sites across the North East; it is a multipurpose leisure venue made from shipping containers or housed in large, repurposed retail units. The company specialises in food, drink and live entertainment. Middlesbrough’s own STACK is currently being constructed out of large containers under the A66.

Ms Mayhew says she is unhappy that STACK wasn’t “supporting local”. The businesswoman also pointed out that the arrival of STACK had been “a highly anticipated project for our struggling town which I’ve believed would do wonders for our area, also the businesses surrounding that haven’t been able to catch a break in recent years”.

She said: “I can’t help but feel like Teesside businesses have been kicked in the teeth with the trader line up, there’s not a single Boro based business featured.”

Ms Mayhew admitted she was disappointed that her business did not get a spot on the traders list but added she had been excited to see what other “local street food businesses would be taking over the containers” because “to be given the opportunity to be a part of something like this could really be the making of an independent business”.

Even though the eateries have been confirmed, she said that she was hopeful that “our local breweries and distilleries and talented artists and bands are given an opportunity to be a part of the project”.

Ms Mayhew added: “When I first heard about STACK coming to Middlesbrough I envisioned all sectors thriving and being able to be a part of it from the building and infrastructure right through to the produce being offered – it wholeheartedly being a Teesside thing”.

Ms Mayhew went on to assert that Middlesbrough is bursting with talent and STACK would be the perfect place to showcase it. She added: “Now all I see is STACK as a franchise business popping up here, there and everywhere with the same vendors at each spot, how boring is that?”

As well as speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Ms Mayhew shared her thoughts on Instagram, where other local businesses and residents broadly agreed with her comments and shared their views.

Off The Ground, a coffee shop in Middlesbrough, said it was “sad for Teesside businesses but a bit of an own goal by the company”.

Gutsy Girl and Co said: “We closed our premises that was literally just around the corner from the STACK site. As exciting as it is for the town to have a little attention with developments and trade, I would be really panicking how that trade will be pulled from already struggling businesses in the town. I wonder who, if any, local traders were in serious consideration for this.”

A spokesperson for STACK said: “Wherever we open a STACK we have the same process – we ask for expressions of interest, review the applications and then select those which we feel will be the best fit. We have our own brands which we also include in the mix, so we would not be looking for a vendor offering similar food as our priority is creating a vibrant and diverse food offering.

“Our experience shows that when a STACK opens other hospitality outlets also benefit from the general increased footfall and of course from the job creation that we bring. We are very confident that this is exactly what will happen at Middlesbrough.”

STACK is a private business and makes its own commercial choices, as such Middlesbrough Council declined to comment.

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke was asked about the lack of Middlesbrough-based businesses that are going to be part of the town’s STACK. He said he could understand the sentiment expressed by local businesses.

He also said: “I think what we need to get right is what the whole town make up looks like.” The Mayor spoke about investing in areas that the council owns, such as the Hemlington shops.

He added: “The independent businesses section in Bedford and Baker Street, has an entirely different feel to Albert Road, and the person that would go to the independent businesses, may not be the same person that goes to Albert Road and it’s about trying to make the economy all work at the same time.”