Sunderland heritage landmark to undergo £850k transformation as part of “seaside regeneration scheme”

Plans to transform a heritage landmark in Sunderland are to go ahead after a listed building application paving the way for new life to be breathed into it was given the green light.

The Seaburn Tram Shelter, one of three historic buildings being revamped as part of a £850k investment from Sunderland City Council and The Coastal Communities Fund, had been earmarked for transformation for some time.

Plans have been brought forward by East Boldon’s award-winning Blacks Corner, to create a new delicatessen that will be sympathetic to the history of the shelter, while creating an attractive addition to the seaside offer.

In their Listed building application, the team at Blacks Corner, which champions local and home-grown British farm produce through its menu of cheese and charcuterie, set out plans to undertake a series of “sensitive restoration works” to the fish-scale roof, cast iron columns, rainwater goods, and the existing timber frames.

The plans will also enclose the tram shelter by replicating the details and proportions of the existing building, with plans including a delicatessen, an accessible WC, kitchen, and servery counter.

The company was revealed as the preferred occupier of the Seaburn Tram Shelter earlier this year, after the council confirmed it planned to revamp the building as part of a wider “seaside regeneration scheme” that will also see a former toilet block and bay shelter brought back into use.

Councillor Kevin Johnston, dynamic city cabinet member, said: “Our heritage buildings are important parts of our seaside and we want to preserve the best parts of them, but return them to a modern-day use that will ensure that Seaburn and Roker grow their reputation as attractive places to visit and enjoy.

“I’m delighted that can now happen, with approval of the listed building application, which was the final step towards a bright new future for this important building.”

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