See inside the new coffee shop on track for success at Seaburn Metro Station

The Train Line has opened its doors in the former Seaburn News unit and is already proving popular with its own brand coffees, colourful cakes, American-brand drinks and fudges.

It only began trading on November 12 when it sold out of its cakes in the first day, with an almost constant stream of custom since.

It’s the brainchild of city businessman Christian Carney who has already had success with his other shops, Fulwell Butchers in Sea Road and Grange Garden Centre in Thompson Road.

Though it’s a difficult climate in which to open a new venture, Christian is hoping people will continue to support local business and is confident the shop, which benefits from its own free parking, will prove even more popular once commuting traffic on the Metro line picks up.

“The response has been even better than we expected,” he said. “I saw that the unit had become available and I know the area really well and I felt that this was a business that could do well here. Once you get past Sea Road, there isn’t any shops offering something like this.”

Most of the cakes are home-made, with others from local suppliers, and Christian had been selling them at Fulwell Butchers where choices such as ‘school cake’, rainbow cake, pink slices and tray bakes had proved popular.

All the cakes will now be sold at The Train Line, while the butchers focuses on its meat and savoury offerings. The latter proved particular popular in lockdown with its delivery options and this year it will be doing Christmas meat deliveries for the first time.

Christian said: “A lot of the traders in Sea Road have noticed more footfall during the pandemic as I think people are appreciating local businesses more and I really hope that support continues for the local high street."

In line with the increase in demand for deliveries due to lockdowns, The Train Line will also start running a delivery service.

It comes as the Echo is running its #ShopLocal campaign to encourage people to support local businesses, especially at Christmas, whether that’s buying in store or online.

See our guide to independent coffee shops in Sunderland and Seaham open for takeout in Lockdown 2 here.

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