Work to begin on £18m Holiday Inn hotel for Sunderland city centre which will create 130 jobs

The 120-bed Holiday Inn, which will overlook Sunderland city centre’s Keel Square, will create 130 posts when it is completed towards the end of 2021.

Builders will shortly start constructing the four-storey premises after a deal between Sunderland City Council and developer Cairn Group was concluded earlier this week.

The £18m development will also include four ground-floor commercial units with opportunities for food and drink businesses.

Its impending arrival has been welcomed by council leader, Councillor Graeme Miller, who said: “This has been a challenging time for the city, as it has for the UK at large.

“So it is good to be able to announce a really positive development for Sunderland and one that demonstrates that we are ready to emerge from this crisis on the front foot and deliver the dynamic city centre our residents want and deserve.

“We had the wind in our sails before COVID-19 struck, and I am determined that we do not lose any momentum, as we push ahead with the transformation of our city centre and the wider city.

“We’re delighted to have signed this deal and look forward to seeing the hotel take shape.”

The hotel, which was granted planning permission by the council last summer, will sit close to a host of ongoing and planned improvements to the city centre and is expected to appeal to both leisure and business travellers.

Nearby examples include the new City Hall, which is currently under construction, and The Beam, already home to online grocer Ocado.

Cairn Group’s Richard Warren said: “We’re delighted to be able to push forward with the development of an exciting new addition to the city’s leisure and hospitality portfolio. We are thrilled to be part of regenerating Sunderland and remain committed to investing within the region.”

Aneil Handa, who has also worked to agree the deal on behalf of Cairn Group, added: “This high quality hotel will appeal to a range of travellers and, as one of a number of exciting developments progressing in Sunderland, it is clear that this hotel is coming at the right time for the city.”

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