A seaside town in the North East has been transformed into a bustling coastal hotspot.
Seaburn has been hailed as the “jewel in the crown of Sunderland” following a massive refurbishment task that included the installation of trendy bars and restaurants and attracted people from far and wide.
Breaking the general trend of decline at Britain’s coastal resorts, more than £30m of private sector investment has seen the beach front enjoy a significant glow-up. New bars, restaurants, and even a hotel have sprung up along the coastline, much to the joy of most locals, Chronicle Live reported.
One place that has seen unexpected demand is the Blacks Corner Tram Shelter, which opened in December 2023. “We knew there were other people there, but we didn’t expect it to be this busy,” Jonny Dryden said. owner of Blacks Corner. with his partner, Chris Lowden.
“In the last seven days, more than 1,000 people have visited us between Tram Shelter and the kiosk, which is open from 8am every morning. People have come from as far away as Alnwick, other people from York and other people have come to lunch from Derby because they had heard of us.
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It’s been a two-year project for Jonny and Chris who worked hard to get permission to restore the former 1920s tram shelter. Inside, the eatery can now accommodate 40 customers with a outdoor zone offering shoreline views.
Jonny, who co-owns Blacks Corner bistro and deli in East Boldon with Chris, explained: “The structure stopped being used as a tram shelter in October 1954. The council inherited the building from the old Sunderland Corporation which used to run the tramways. We had to structurally repair it, there was a heck of a lot of work. But to do all of that it required listed building consent.”
“Construction has been something of a crown on the waterfront for the last 70 years. I think we implemented a very friendly and considerate recovery process that we detailed to the council we were looking to adopt and they were very pleased with it. “I’m not sure if I am
Jonny added his thoughts and said, “Seaburn is the jewel of the city. It’s the jewel in the crown. “
The owners of the Seaburn Inn would echo those sentiments. Part of the Inn Collection group, this modern hotel is just off the Whitburn Road promenade. Following a £6 million investment two years earlier, the hotel opened its doors, creating 40 new jobs.
The hotel has 40 rooms, 19 of which have sea views. It also has a bar and a place to eat on the ground floor that is a big hit with locals. Last year, it welcomed more than 12,000 visitors from all over the UK, Ireland and even Australia and the US.
Andrew Robson, communications manager for the Inn Collection Group, explained why Seaburn was chosen: “Whether it’s Northumberland or the Lake District, we go for places where people want to spend their leisure time because they are nice places to be,” he said.
“Seaburn has a beautiful sandy beach and there’s nothing better than sitting there and gazing out over the coastline on a sunny day. We have a smart percentage of people who book directly through us rather than through an online agency. So other people come and enjoy what they revel in and come back and come back. “
STACK has played a key role in Seaburn’s renewal in recent years. The shipping container site on the site of the former Pullman Lodge has been part of the area’s colorful hospitality scene since it opened in 2020. Since then, the venue has welcomed around two million customers.
Neill Winch, Chief Executive of STACK, said: “I’m excited about the positive adjustments we’re seeing along the Sunderland coast. Transforming a once-neglected domain into STACK Seaburn, a colorful place open year-round, has been a rewarding journey. “
“We have created a place where other people of all ages can gather, providing a combination of exclusive events, a diversity of independent street vendors, and varied retail units. It’s about creating a sense of community. It is particularly encouraging to see other start-ups joining us in this region. Their arrival creates a vibrant, quality destination that benefits everyone: locals and visitors alike.
“This expansion isn’t just smart for our businesses; It’s an advantage for the network as a whole. The increased variety and quality of features in the domain is something we are all passionate about. It’s wonderful to be part of Sunderland’s ongoing coastal project. regeneration, and I look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of those developments. “
Sunderland City Council said the investment in Seaburn’s waterfront has created many jobs and led to an increase in the number of guests, which has especially boosted the city’s economy.
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