Empty Thai Manor building to become new restaurant and bar for Sunderland's Sunniside quarter

Plans are in place to transform the former Thai Manor in Sunniside into a new late night bar and restaurant.

Sunderland City Council’s planning department this week rubber stamped the application, which will see one of the two Grade II-listed buildings in Foyle Street turned into residential accommodation and the other into a restaurant and bar, complete with roof terrace.

The historic building, which overlooks Sunniside Gardens, has been empty since Thai Manor was closed in early 2014 after a spot check by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Services revealed serious safety breaches after the restaurant’s boss had let staff live in the cellar and blocked fire escapes.

The new plans, which have been put forward by Dailyclever Projects Ltd, would retain the period features of the former manor house, while creating a restaurant, complete with function room, which would open seven days a week.

Council planners said the plan gelled with the existing businesses in West Sunniside.

In a statement prepared for councillors, planning officers said: “The provision of drinking establishments and residential uses within Sunniside are considered to be acceptable in so far that they would contribute towards creating a vibrant mixed use quarter within the city.”

While the new restaurant and first floor function suite would occupy the footprint of the old Thai Manor, the residential element of the plan would create a three storey, four bedroom house on Foyle Street.