Owners unveilbig plans forseafront venue
ONE of Sunderland seafront's best-known landmarks has won a reprieve.
The three railway coaches which give the Pullman Lodge Hotel its name had been due to be sold.
But now owner Wylam Leisure is to give the coaches a facelift as part of a 500,000 plan to transform the Pullman Lodge into "the city's premier events venue".
The company had originally planned to move the coaches – The Sapphire, The Rosalind and The Padua – as part of a plan to flatten the Lodge to make way for a new four-storey 230-room hotel.
The firm put the carriages up for sale on Internet auction site e-bay last year, but withdrew them when they failed to reach the reserve price of 45,000.
Now they are to be given a new lease of life as part of the scheme to redevelop the hotel.
Work is already under way on a 500,000 upgrade, which will include the creation of a function room which will cater for up to 400 guests and the installation of a second-floor bar which will overlook the main room and also boast stunning sea views.
The work is the latest stage of a redevelopment which has also seen the creation of a fish and chip restaurant called Lowry's, named after the famous painter who spent much of his time in the city.
Wylam Leisure says the changes will give Sunderland its largest venue for everything from weddings through to award ceremonies and business dinners.
"Quite apart from being in a great location, there isn't really anywhere else in Sunderland who can cater for up to 400 people on round tables," said boss Tony Griffiths.
"All the recent music shows have helped put Wearside on the map and now we're going to be able to offer an added attraction."
The new venue will be unveiled on August 7 with a James Bond-themed event.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sunderland striker Campbell fresh to face Middlesbrough
- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
- Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (aet): O’Neill relieved to avoid shoot-out lottery as Sessegnon wins it
- Martin O’Neill defends David Meyler after criticism from Tony Pulis
- Shearer snubs Stadium of Light
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
