The new owner of one of the North East’s larger venues is investing £300,000 to transform it, with aspirations to turn it into one of the region’s “top events facilities”.
Jay Johal, who owns Jay’s Storage in Chester-le-Street and Stockton, has taken over Rainton Meadows Arena at Houghton-le-Spring.
Johal, who took over the venue in September 2019, has already carried out a number of improvements, including creating a garden area, painting the entire building and generally upgrading all of the bar and reception spaces.
The new owner revealed that his initial plan was to see if he could create a new storage facility in a corner of the site, before being told it was up for sale.
“I realised that it just had so much potential because it’s a huge venue, with a standing capacity for 2000 people and more than 1000 for a sit-down dinner along with 900 car park spaces,” he said.
“I’m going all out to invest in its refurbishment and make it one of the best venues in the region.”
Johal has introduced a new catering operation at the venue. “My plan is also to establish it again as a really first-class live music venue, as well as holding a range of events and offering it for conferences, events, awards and celebrations,” he added.
Johal is in discussion with hotels in the area to work on joint packages which he hopes will appeal to large conference and event organisers from other parts of the country.
