Vaux has agreed a deal with leading chartered surveyors and estate agent, Bradley Hall, for the letting of a new brewery and beachfront bar overlooking Roker beach.
Beer enthusiasts turned entrepreneurs Michael Thompson and Steve Smith successfully acquired the rights to the city’s former Vaux Brewery brand back in 2019 and have since seen the business grow rapidly.
As well as opening their first brewery and taproom in the city, the pair have also been backed by famed TV architect and Sunderland-born George Clarke, who has helped the pair draw up plans for their latest venture.
Breathing new life into the Victorian shelter on Marine Walk, the beachfront bar will have a capacity of 100 and will further complement the seafront’s already burgeoning evening economy. As well as stocking beers by Vaux, the new bar will also offer an array of drinks from around the world, as well as food for sit-in and takeaway.
Steve Smith said: “We’ve walked past this shelter for ages and have always felt that it would be the perfect space for us. When the council put it out to tender, we thought it was an opportunity that was too good to pass up.
“The new space won’t be just a Vaux bar; it will be more of a beachfront bar and kitchen. It’ll be a space to relax in after a long week with good craft beer, good food and good wine. We really see the Roker Shelter as the final piece of the Marine Walk puzzle as it’s been crying out for development for years – we are just thrilled to be the ones to take on the challenge.”
Bradley Hall secured the letting on behalf of Sunderland City Council. Joseph l’Anson, associate director at Bradley Hall who led on the deal, said: “Letting the empty Roker shelter to Vaux Brewery will make a considerable impact to the hospitality sector in Roker and around Sunderland.
“Being able to work alongside Sunderland City Council in order to make this happen will only encourage further businesses to settle along the seafront to revitalise this part of Sunderland for all to enjoy.”
As well as the old shelter, the new development will incorporate a neighbouring storage shelter and the resorts office, which will be relocated, making one large site with its own kitchen, toilets and bar.
Construction work is due to begin later this year, with plans to open in the summer of 2023.
