Coronavirus: Sunderland pubs Dun Cow and Engine Room set to close

All proceeds from the day’s business at The Dun Cow and The Engine Room, which sit next to each other on High Street West, will be donated to the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen on Hudson Road. Any remaining food from the two pubs’ kitchens will also be given to the charity.

Ian High, operations and finance director of Pub Culture which operates both bars, said: “Unfortunately, due to this unprecedented pandemic, Pub Culture has taken the extremely difficult decision to close our venues from close of business this evening, Tuesday 17th March.

“The health and wellbeing of our customers and staff has to be our highest priority and we feel this is the best way to safeguard our customers and staff.

“St Patrick’s Day is normally very busy and if any of our customers still wish to join us this evening then proceeds from today will be donated to the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen with whom we have been working recently.

“If customers also want to donate any foodstuffs with us today these will also be given to the Community Soup Kitchen.

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“We will also donate any food stocks that we have that may be of use to the Community Soup Kitchen.

“We will be looking to reopen our doors to customers as soon as possible”.