New lease of life for a seafront landmark
The team behind the city’s much-loved Mexico 70 and Ship Isis are to breathe new life into a disused seafront shelter.
Sunderland City Council has now selected Ben Wall, Neil Bassett and their team as the tenants for the Bay Shelter on Seaburn's Lower Promenade.
The team plans to open a high-end seafood restaurant, aimed at appealing to Sunderland residents as well as attracting customers from across the region.
It’s the latest new development at the seafront, which has seen the opening of Stack Seaburn, as well as the construction of the Seaburn Inn, as part of a £10million programme of regeneration and improvements.
The lease for the shelter was advertised over summer 2020 through commercial property surveyors Lofthouse and Partners and interest was strong with more than 30 people registering and submitting proposals.
Ben and Neil, who have overseen Sunderland's Mexico 70, Holmeside Coffee and The Ship Isis, are now finalising their plans to open a high end seafood restaurant - possibly to be named The Shelter.
Subject to further fitting out works and permissions, a summer 2021 launch is planned.
Related: the changing face of Roker and Seaburn seafront.
Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Dynamic City, coun Rebecca Atkinson said: "On behalf of the hundreds and thousands of residents and visitors who enjoy our seafront, I'd like to welcome this business and its new offer.
"We all know what a great coastline we have in Sunderland and we - the council – continue to invest in both the look and feel of it, from Marine Walk to Seaburn Promenade. All this work by the council and its partners attracts further investments and continues to evolve, improve and provide more reasons to visit, stay at and enjoy our seafront. And, of course, enjoy it all year round.
"I'd like to thank everyone that expressed an interest in the properties and it's a testament to the popularity and potential of our seafront that there was such strong interest. Thank you to all."
Income generated from the lease will help support the Sunderland Seafront Trust. The trust operates the Roker Pier and Lighthouse tours and lease income will help it deliver seafront events and activities.
Ben said: "We are looking to a high-end seafood restaurant with a menu using the freshest local ingredients. "The Shelter is in a beautiful location and a unique opportunity for any Sunderland restaurateur, and in such we recognise the responsibility that any operator has in trading there.
"That responsibility is to provide a destination for tourists and residents alike, to draw in customers not just from the immediate area but from Northumberland to North Yorkshire.
"We want to make it a destination. It gives us an opportunity to showcase the amazing and beautiful coastline that we have here, alongside current and future development of the seafront.
"Our vision is to create an all-day seafront restaurant, showcasing contemporary dining in a stunning but unstuffy and unpretentious relaxed environment."
The Seaburn Tram Shelter is now also being advertised as a business opportunity.