Work begins on Seaham clifftop cafe revamp ready to welcome daytrippers after lockdown eases

Transformation work underway to give a Seaham seafront cafe a new look ready to welcome customers as lockdown eases.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Tonia’s, in Seaham Hall Car Park, is set to become North Beach Coffee Bar, with new owner Sean Golightly working to a deadline of Monday, May 17, the date the Government has laid down as the earliest date hospitality venues will be allowed to open.

It could create up to 15 full and part time roles, serving up barista coffees, teas, milkshakes, pastries and cakes, light lunches and full English breakfasts, with vegetarian and vegan options planned.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It will have a licence serve alcohol, with live music and Christmas events in the pipeline.

Sean Golightly outside the cafe has he was given the keys.Sean Golightly outside the cafe has he was given the keys.
Sean Golightly outside the cafe has he was given the keys.
Read More
Cafe, restaurant or shop among potential uses after new business space approved ...

Changes to the building, first developed from a toilet block under the eye of the Durham Heritage Coast team, have already begun.

They will see a full floor to ceiling window installed, a patio area created for outdoor seating and a takeaway kiosk set up to beat the queues at the busiest times, with other expansion plans in the works.

It will offer 50 seats inside and 45 outside, while 100-year-old wood once part of a Polish barn has been shipped over to be turned into a counter and tables, with the site benefiting from its coastal spot and free parking.

An artist's image of how the building will look once work is complete.An artist's image of how the building will look once work is complete.
An artist's image of how the building will look once work is complete.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sean said: “The support we’ve had so far from people on social media has been great, lots of people sending their best wishes and that’s a great indication of the clientele we’ll welcome when we open, it’s going to be a very nice place."

In a farewell message from Tonia’s, the team wished the new owner “every success” and said: “Well, all good things come to an end eventually.

The revamped cafe will offer 50 seats outside and another 45 in its grounds.The revamped cafe will offer 50 seats outside and another 45 in its grounds.
The revamped cafe will offer 50 seats outside and another 45 in its grounds.

“After over 40 years in the Jobes family we have officially handed on the mantle of serving you from Seaham Hall car park to North Beach Coffee Bar.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Thank you all for your custom over the years and we'll miss you all.”

Progress on the revamp will be shared via the North Beach Coffee Bar’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today.

Work has already started to transform the building.Work has already started to transform the building.
Work has already started to transform the building.

Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day.

With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Related topics: