The services group which manages conferencing and events at the stadium has launched Project A; a drive to create a series of one-off events to be held at the venue.
Lucy Goodwin, operations manager at Sodexo Prestige, said: “The aim was to help develop our duty managers’ business and managerial skills and to harness the creativity of staff who aren’t usually involved in the process of event planning.
“More than 30 of our staff have taken part and their enthusiasm and drive has been incredibly impressive.
“The challenge has really inspired everyone and, along with being great fun, it’s improved inter-departmental communication and, most importantly, given people from the North East and further afield even more reason than ever to visit St James’ Park.”
Staff at the stadium have been split into six teams, led by a duty manager, and must pitch their ideas to a panel of judges in the boardroom.
The success has led to an additional 11 public and corporate events - from real ale festivals and tea dances to summer picnics and masquerade balls - in the coming months.
Events scheduled as a result of Project A are:
- Tea in the Toon, Saturday 25 June – a traditional afternoon tea at the stadium.
- England Euros, Saturday 11, Thursday 16 and Monday 20 June - corporate packages to watch three England Euros fixtures with drinks packages and themed food.
- Golden Oldies Tea Dance, Wednesday 6 July.
- Toast of the Tyne, Friday 2September -a charity masquerade ball in association with The Bobby Robson Foundation and Bright Red.
- Real Ale Festival, Friday 7 and Saturday 8 October – a two-day festival featuring a selection of local breweries with food, entertainment and spirit tents.
- Family Fun Day, Friday 28 October – Hallowe’en-themed fun day for families.
- Festive Fayre, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 November - food, craft and outdoor Christmas fair with food demonstrations and entertainment
- Evening with Darts Legend, Tuesday 6 December - darts, auction and Q&A with a darts legend.