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Sunderland’s Elephant Tearooms is being restored to its original glory.

Judy Dodd: My grandmother used to tell me about going there and I know she would love to know that it was still there after all these years, it is beautiful.

Cassie Robson: Had a fantastic tour of this today. The details are amazing, the team are doing a great job conserving the Terracotta.

Jean Phillips: So pleased this is being restored, it is a beautiful building.

Glen Jones: Every penny spent restoring this is worth it. I don’t think people realise how much great architecture there is in Sunderland.

Gaynor Clarke: So glad this is happening.

Brenda Reay: When you consider what has happened to the beautiful architecture that Sunderland had, if retained would have made it a "city'' to be proud of. Instead, what do we have now?

Glen Jones: Well Hitler unfortunately didn’t care much about our buildings. The buildings that we still have are being carefully restored.

Ken Phillips: Will be great to see it restored to its former glory. How many of us were told to watch out for the elephants as a young child by our parents. The Mackie’s corner renovation is also very good.

Jim Tansey: The upper facade is amazing. What has happened at street level is shocking.

Audrey Ayre: Would be great if they became amazing tea rooms.

Alan Frost: Part of Sunderland's history. Glad they have seen sense to renovate. Shame they didn't do that with all the other historical buildings they razed to the ground over the years.

John Mackem: Well done to the council for restoring such a beautiful building.

Virginia Bodman: It’s a shame that the National Glass Centre isn’t going to receive the same care.