Member Article

£500k bistro set to open at Sunderland Empire

Renovation work has finished on Sunderland Empire’s new on-site bistro, part of £500k worth of investment at the North East theatre.

Found in the former Dress Circle back bar, Garden Place Bistro has created five new jobs and will open for walk up bookings to coincide with One Night of Elvis on Wednesday 1 March.

The Dress Circle front bar area has also undergone extensive refurbishment which has included refreshed décor, new seating and exposure and restoration of the original parquet flooring.

Externally, the reinstallation of the iconic Terpsichore statue took place last month, following dislodgement during high winds.

Ben Phillips, General Manager, Sunderland Empire said: “2017 signals an exciting time for Sunderland Empire as we embrace the substantial capital improvement plan for the venue.

“We continue to attract audiences from across the region especially with North East debuts gracing our stage such as The Lion King, Wicked and the homecoming of Billy Elliot the Musical. We don’t just see ourselves as a Sunderland venue, but as a North East venue.

“The renovation work ties in with the developments of our new neighbours at the Old Fire Station in the creation of a cultural hub around the theatre.

“It’s important to continually attract people into the city via the cultural offer, especially as we work towards the City of Culture 2021 title.

“Sunderland Empire is just one cultural element of the offer available across the City, but we believe these new developments at the theatre will help drive footfall and people into our city, which is instrumental.”

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