New axe throwing business set to open in Middlesbrough as town centre leisure boom continues

An expanding axe-throwing business has cut a deal to open a new venue in the heart of Middlesbrough.

Hatchet Harry’s which already has five other branches across the UK including one in Newcastle, is planning to open on Middlesbrough’s Derwent Street. Originating as a past time with Canadian Lumberjacks, axe throwing is all about hitting the wooden target as accurately as possible with your axe.

Teesside’s newest venture will be joined by another local business in Harry’s Handcrafted Doughnuts. The Darlington based company opened back in January and have regularly sold out their flagship store.

Read more: Could you be the next Sara Davies? Young entrepreneurs wanted for Stockton contest

Owners of Hatchet Harry’s, Jack Beadle and Richard Bridge, thought of Harry’s Handcrafted Doughnuts after having to expand their axe-throwing business during lockdown. The pair hope to sell their sweet treats and coffees throughout Hatchet Harry’s venues all across the UK.

Middlesbrough was chosen for the firm’s next location partly due to the forthcoming multi-million-pound regeneration of Captain Cook Square, which is set to put the town on the map as a leisure destination.

Jack, originally from Darlington, said: “The doughnut venture has gone a lot better than we ever imagined, and the axe business is also trading better than ever. We’re always on the look-out for great new places to bring our fantastic brand to, and Middlesbrough ticks all the boxes.”

Jack explained that axe throwing has become extremely popular, increasingly amongst larger groups of people celebrating special occasions such as hen and stag parties as well as birthdays. The business has fortunately been able to bounce back after covid restrictions forced them to close.

He added: “Even after restrictions were lifted, it took a bit of time for people to become comfortable with indoor environments, but we’re really busy now and bookings are increasing month on month.”

Prices start at £21 per person for a 90-minute supervised axe throwing experience. All venues also host a ‘Club Night’ each Monday where regulars and more experienced axe-throwers pay £12.50 for unsupervised sessions. It is expected that the Middlesbrough branch of Hatchet Harry’s and Harry’s Handcrafted Doughnuts will open by early May.

Hatchet Harry’s, which launched in Newcastle in May 2019, has other venues in Glasgow, Liverpool, Aberdeen and Nottingham. The business is currently in negotiations to open new venues in Brighton and Reading, with other locations likely to follow this year.

Visit www.hatchetharrys.co.uk or www.harrysdonuts.co.uk for more details.

For breaking news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter