Homemade North Indian food, savoury snacks, Indian sweets, specialist groceries and kitchenware are coming to Common Ground as Sangeeta Loomba brings Namaste Taste of India to the Beacon Centre in North Shields.

Common Ground opens on Thursday 19 November 2026, bringing independent businesses together inside the former Wilko building, just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

For Sangeeta, joining the market also means bringing her business to a town with personal significance. She grew up on King Street, has family connections to Saville Street and had been looking for the right opportunity in North Shields for some time.

“North Shields is close to my heart,” she says.

How Namaste Taste of India began

Sangeeta opened Namaste in Whitley Bay in December 2018, combining a longstanding ambition to run her own café with the practical needs of raising two children.

With two young boys, she wanted a working life that allowed her to spend more time with them. Opening her own business meant they could be with her, making school holidays and childcare easier to manage.

She had also spotted something missing: somewhere customers could buy their Indian cooking supplies and pick up a snack or curry during the same visit.

Cooking was already an important part of her life, with skills learned from her parents, grandad and uncle. Namaste became a way to share that family knowledge while building a business around the people closest to her.

What will Namaste sell at Common Ground?

Namaste’s new space will bring together North Indian food to go, sweets, groceries and kitchenware.

The planned range includes:

• Savoury snacks: samosas, onion bhajis, pakoras and aloo tikki.
• Food to go: including onion bhaji wraps and chicken tikka wraps.
• Indian sweets and desserts: treats to enjoy yourself or share.
• Specialist groceries: including spices and pickles for cooking at home.
• Indian kitchenware: alongside the ingredients and food.
• Christmas gift ideas: with seasonal products planned for the festive shopping period.

Food for the Common Ground stall will be prepared at Namaste’s existing premises and brought to the market.

Whether you’re stopping for lunch, picking up something to take home or looking for ingredients for your own cooking, Sangeeta wants customers to find several reasons to visit.

Can customers order a takeaway in advance?

Yes. Customers will be able to order a takeaway 24 hours in advance from Namaste’s extensive menu.

For the current menu and ordering arrangements, contact Namaste Taste of India directly at namastetasteofindia@outlook.com.

New spice kits are on the way

Sangeeta is also preparing to introduce her own spice kits at Common Ground, following requests from customers.

The kits are planned for launch in the coming weeks, adding another option for people who enjoy cooking Indian food at home. Further details will be shared as they become available.

Why Sangeeta chose Common Ground

Finding a suitable space in North Shields had taken time.

“I have looked at a number of premises in North Shields previously but nothing fitted what I was looking for,” Sangeeta explains.

“When I saw this opportunity I knew it would be perfect for Namaste.”

She’ll join a mix of independent food businesses, artists, makers, vintage sellers and specialist retailers at Common Ground, bringing her family’s cooking traditions and her experience of running Namaste into the market.

For visitors, it means being able to pick up food and ingredients while discovering the other businesses making their home in the former Wilko building.

Where is Namaste Taste of India at Common Ground?

Find Namaste Taste of India inside Common Ground at the Beacon Centre in North Shields town centre.

Address:
Common Ground, former Wilko building
The Beacon Shopping Centre
Bedford Street
North Shields
NE29 6QF

Opening date: Thursday 19 November 2026
Common Ground core trading hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm
Business contact: namastetasteofindia@outlook.com

North Shields Metro and Transport Hub are nearby, making the market easy to reach by public transport.

Parking is available at the Beacon Centre. The car park entrance is accessed via Saville Street, with NE29 6QN recommended for sat-nav directions to the car park.

Interested in trading at Common Ground?

We’re welcoming enquiries from independent businesses, makers, artists, food producers and specialist retailers interested in joining Common Ground.

Tell us about your business, what you’d like to sell and whether you’re looking for a regular unit, a future opportunity or a short-term pop-up.

Please include:

• Your name, business name and contact details.
• A short introduction to your products or services.
• Photographs of your products or current setup.
• Your website and social media links, if available.
• Your preferred start date and any practical requirements.

Email simmie@ilovenorthshields.com with the subject “Common Ground – Trader Enquiry”.

Applications are curated according to the business mix, suitability and available space.

Read the Common Ground trader information and FAQs.