Northumberland Shipping Container Cafe

An Amazing Shipping Container Cafe overlooking the beach in Northumberland Village opened this year and we went along to explore it!

Nestled along the scenic Northumberland coast, Needles Eye Café is a hidden gem on Newbiggin Beach, offering visitors the perfect spot to enjoy a seaside meal or a quick coffee break. With its panoramic views over the North Sea and cozy atmosphere, this café is a welcoming haven for beach-goers, families, and locals alike.

Where does the name come from?

The café’s name, “Needles Eye,” is inspired by a nearby rock formation in the bay, a natural landmark often admired by photographers and nature enthusiasts. Located directly on Newbiggin Beach, the café allows customers to soak in the beauty of the coastline while enjoying a variety of delicious options on the menu. Open year-round, this Northumberland shipping container cafe serves a mix of classic comfort foods, including hearty breakfasts, light lunches, and an array of mouthwatering homemade cakes. The menu emphasizes quality ingredients, often sourced locally, and caters to a range of dietary needs with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

timber cladding open plan aluminium sliding doors wooden bench rope

Warm and friendly

One of the café’s highlights is its warm, friendly service that makes each guest feel like part of the community. Staff are known for their welcoming smiles and are happy to share tips on nearby attractions, like the famous Couple Sculpture standing in the bay or the charming promenade that stretches along Newbiggin’s shore. On sunny days, patrons can sit outside to enjoy the fresh sea breeze, while the interior offers a cozy refuge on colder days, with comfortable seating and large windows for uninterrupted sea views.

About the build

The project involved repurposing two 40-foot single-use shipping containers, which were cut and joined end-to-end, resulting in an 80-foot-long modular café structure. This streamlined construction approach features floor-to-ceiling windows that enhance the open-plan layout and can be adjusted according to weather conditions, allowing for flexible indoor-outdoor transitions. The use of recycled containers aligns with sustainable building practices, offering a rapid construction solution with minimal environmental impact.

view of newbiggin beach northumberland from needles eye cafe

Developed by businessmen Wayne Rigg and Gareth Rose, who bring extensive experience in property and holiday-let renovations, the pair have applied their expertise to design and construct Café Needle’s Eye from the ground up, aiming to establish it as a premier coastal café destination in Northumberland.

Community hub

Beyond its menu and views, Needles Eye Café actively contributes to Newbiggin’s community spirit. It regularly hosts events like beach clean-ups, and community gatherings, and often collaborates with local artists to display their work inside the café. These touches make it more than just a place to grab a bite; it’s a community hub and a reflection of the town’s vibrant local culture.

Whether you’re looking for a refreshing coffee after a morning walk, a seaside lunch with family, or simply a quiet place to relax and enjoy the coastal scenery, Needles Eye Café at Newbiggin Beach offers an inviting experience. Its stunning location, delicious food, and commitment to the local community make it a must-visit spot for anyone exploring Northumberland’s beautiful coastline.

shipping container cafe interior open plan large window doors beach view

Says Gareth Rigg

We’ve got everything here so it’s going to be a central hub for Newbiggin, something that the town has never really seen before. We’re hoping that people in Newbiggin and the surrounding areas all come together and love it. It’s one of Northumberland’s hidden gems, I think. This coastline, especially Newbiggin, I think it’s one of the best around here – if not the best – though I am biased! I think this will soon become one of the best places in Northumberland for a coastal café.

Like what you see?

If you like what you see here and would like to find out what we can do for you please call 01606 272875 or fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page, a member of staff will get back to you within 48 hours. Our designers and engineers have a wealth of experience in creating bespoke container conversion restaurants. We design, build and deliver all across the UK. What ever you have in mind, if you can imagine it — we can build it!