Sunderland landmark set for repair and restoration works

Plans to transform a historic Sunderland landmark have been given the green light and will be on display to showcase the city’s heritage.

The Grade II listed Elephant Tea Rooms is set to undergo external repair and restoration works - which are scheduled to begin in spring this year – including striking new shop fronts, the repair of delicate terracotta features and the reinstatement of lost decoration.

The external rejuvenation of the building, owned by Sunderland City Council, is being supported with funding of £500k from the City Council, Historic England and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) through the Future High Street Fund and Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) projects.

The new shopfront designs, created by Mosedale Gillatt Architects Ltd, will be on display at the Local History Library in the Elephant Tea Rooms on Thursday February 17, as part of the Sunderland HAZ Heritage Skills Programme which aims to provide opportunities for people to participate and learn about traditional craft building skills.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “The Elephant Tea Rooms is a stunning building and we’re thrilled plans are moving forward to continue reviving this area of the city centre.

“We must protect and maintain historically important buildings, and the Tea Rooms is part of a series of restoration projects that Sunderland City Council is proud to be supporting.

“The blend of old and new across our city centre is really taking shape, with the likes of the recently restored Mackie’s Corner and the transformation taking place at Riverside Sunderland - we’re respecting the past and building for the future.”

Iona Howell, Associate Director at Mosedale Gillatt Architects Ltd said “We’re delighted to be playing a part in the transformation of this historic Sunderland landmark”.

Further opportunities will be available as construction work on Elephant Tea Rooms begins, with hard hat tours and practical workshops led by expert craftspeople.

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