Historic Sunderland landmark restoration draws on inspiration from local attraction

The team behind plans to lovingly restore a seaside landmark have paid a visit to the region’s world-famous open-air museum to immerse themselves in the history of their new Seaburn venue.

Jonathan Dryden and Chris Lowden, the business partners behind Blacks Corner, and the team from their East Boldon restaurant and delicatessen, made a trip to Beamish to inspire them as they undertake a sympathetic restoration of Seaburn’s iconic tram shelter.

The team were able to spend some time aboard the No16 tram that once stopped at the historic Terminus, and to take in the history of the 1900s town, as they prepared to breathe new life into the shelter with a “sensitive rejuvenation that will deliver a stunning new seaside eatery”.

Having agreed a lease on the Grade II listed building in 2021, the project will see Blacks Corner open their third location, building on the success of its distinctive East Boldon flagship restaurant and its sister Delicatessen.

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, has had little use since the tramways ceased operating in 1954.

Jonathan commented: “We see ourselves as custodians of an asset that has such significance to Sunderland, so it is important to us that we handle the building’s restoration with respect and a deep appreciation of the era in which this stunning structure served the city.

“The Shelter has such a rich history, so it’s been fantastic to visit Beamish and see the tram that once served Seaburn in action for ourselves and relive the experience of the day.”

“The restoration of the tram itself and its magnificent detail really helps you get a feel for what it must’ve been like in the first half of the 1900s and has really helped us visualise what we can do to best reflect its rich heritage.”

In their Listed Building application, the team at Blacks Corner, which champions local and home-grown British farm produce through its menu of cheese, wine and charcuterie, outlined their plans to undertake a series of sensitive restoration works to the fish-scale roof; the cast iron columns and decorations; and the existing timber frames.

The design will also enclose the tram shelter, strip back the layers and reveal the heritage of the much beloved local landmark. Jonathan continued: “We’re absolutely committed to doing everything we can to preserve the building’s charm and character and ensure it remains a real community asset.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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