Contractor appointed for £6m sea front development

The 40-bedroom, four-storey Seaburn Inn will be built on Whitburn Road alongside the STACK Seaburn development, which is expected to open in spring, close to Martino’s restaurant.

The main contractor will be Newcastle-based Metnor Construction. Plans for the development were approved by Sunderland City Council in October. The Seaburn Inn will be part of the Inn Collection Group.

Managing director Sean Donkin, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Metnor Construction as principal contractor for the Seaburn Inn.

“Their selection signals an exciting new phase in the development of this project, that will transform an area of redundant land into what will be a great new addition for Seaburn and the surrounding community.

“We pride ourselves on our track record for delivering award-winning pubs with rooms where people can eat, drink, sleep and explore from, across the North-East, Cumbria and Yorkshire. Seaburn will be a wonderful new addition to our group.”

John McIntyre, Metnor Construction contract manager, said: ”We are thrilled to have been selected principal contractor. This is an exciting project to be part of.

“I am excited to be working with the Inn Collection Group to bring a new lease of life to the area.

“As a business we embrace collaborative working, we work nationally but our roots are firmly in the region.”

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We have a stunning seaside and unlocking its potential through high-quality developments like this, from the Inn Collection Group, will ensure that Seaburn builds on its reputation as a popular seaside location.”

The council says the seaside will see more leisure facilities, with £820,000 set aside to regenerate under-used and historic buildings along the Seaburn and Roker promenade.

Other plans are for a former toilet block at Roker, the former Bay Shelter and the old tram shelter at Seaburn to be transformed into cafés and restaurants

There are further plans for 12 beach huts near the Fat Buddha restaurant. There will also be upgrades to the infrastructure of Seaburn Camp to better accommodate touring caravans.