Popular late night Teesside venue Black Market unveils expansion plans
Black Market, the independent late-night karaoke venue that has quickly earned a loyal following in Stockton, is entering a major new chapter this month as it prepares to unveil a significant expansion.
Operated by the team behind Stockton’s nightclub KU, The Social room and the founders of The Gathering Sounds music festival in the town, the venue has continued to grow in popularity since opening in December 2023. Thousands of visitors have passed through its doors in less than two years, drawn to its mix of real drinks, live music and laid-back atmosphere.
The latest development for the venue is the launch of a brand-new lounge space, opening to the public on Friday 28th November 2025. Designed with the support of the internationally renowned Pulp Design Studios, the expansion introduces booth seating, additional capacity, a compact stage for intimate events and a small cocktail bar, giving Black Market an entirely new dimension without losing its gritty character.
CGI visuals of the new space, created by Pulp Design Studios, show a stylish yet industrial-inspired room that stays true to the venue’s roots.
This next phase also comes with the appointment of a new general manager, Shane Headlam, who joins ahead of the expansion.
Speaking about the extension, the recently appointed new venue manager has said the new area represents an important step forward.
“The new room is really exciting. It’s given us the opportunity to add some comforts that we just didn’t have the room for previously,” said Shane. “The goal, they say, is to enhance the experience without diluting the identity that customers love.”
Shane brings years of industry experience and says he has already been overwhelmed by the pace and passion of the venue. “It’s been great to be a part of so far - we’re busier than ever and everyone’s looking forward to the new room,” he said. “There’s good times ahead for sure. We’ve got a team here that really want Stockton to be the place to go out, and it really shows in the time and effort that goes into the venue.”
The expansion follows the successful launch of Black Market’s private karaoke rooms in October 2024, which have quickly become a hit with locals.
Shane says the decision to introduce them filled a gap in the town’s nighttime offer. “Everybody’s been loving the karaoke rooms so far. It’s that something different that we felt Stockton was really in need of.”
With space for groups of between two and twenty people and more than 18,000 songs available, the rooms have been booked out almost every weekend since launch.
“Looking ahead, the growth isn’t finished,” added Shane. “Work is already underway on a new beer garden, set to arrive in early 2026 - a final addition that the team describe as “the last piece of the puzzle”.