Roker Pie Shop's sign saved put on show in museum

The business, on the corner of Roker Baths Road and Hampden Road, is now Sarnies & Sundaes, after sisters Paula Whellans and Debra Bamborough launched their venture earlier this year.

The signs the pie shop – a Sunderland institution which served up matchday snacks to thousands of supporters over the years – were kept and have been gifted to the Sunderland Fans’ Museum, which is now looking to offer more pies in its cafe and bar.

While its doors remain closed as it works on plans to keep its volunteers and visitors safe in line with coronavirus guidelines, the displays have been installed in the New Bridge Street venue ready for when it can welcome back guests.

The signs join a collection of Vaux memorabilia, including two Brewery Tap signs, and items relating to the city’s shipbuilding past and will boost its work to support people with dementia, which has included sessions with the Alexandra Centre, run by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, and St Cuthbert’s Hospice.

Museum founder Michael Ganley said: “When the shop had closed down, I did some investigations to see where they had went and then out of the blue, I got a message saying ‘Does the museum like the signs?’

"I thought ‘Oh my God’ and answered yes and just drove down straight away and met the ladies from the shop.

"I want to thank them so much for what they have done, they are so lovely.

"We know it is a massive memory and that’s what we want to try and connect with, and we have already got quite an eclectic collection which isn’t just about football, but also businesses, and we want the museum to feature different parts of our social history.

"We’ve got them up on the walls now and it looks great.

“We are trying to break down that stigma around disabilities and I’m a big believer of helping people, especially men who can be quite closed off about dementia, to get them in so they feel they can talk about it.”

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.