Here’s 12 places which have opened up in the area in the past few weeks alone, from a new beach club to a hidden gem lifestyle store and brew bar.
1. Slice Roker, end of Roker Pier
Slice Roker is the biggest Slice to date, after openings in Seaham and Sunderland city centre. It's also a big addition to Roker Riviera, with pizza slices, 24in pizza pies, Vaux on draft and a beach club beer garden that seats up to 168 people. | Sunderland Echo
2. Thrive, Norfolk Street, Sunniside
Sunderland businesswoman Abbey Henderson has drawn on her background in education to bring new play cafe Thrive to Norfolk Street. The cafe runs a series of bookable play sessions where children can learn through play - and their parents can enjoy coffees, matcha, sweet treats and more. Book ahead on the Thrive website. | Sunderland Echo
3. No 32 Pizza & Cocktails, The Beam
It's only been open a couple of weeks, but No 32 is already proving a hugely popular addition to the ground floor of The Beam. It's been brought to the city by Tam and Vito from Ember and Vito's at Sheepfolds Stables and specialises in Neapolitan pizza with inventive toppings and equally colourful sides. | Sunderland Echo
4. Pier ice cream, former lighthouse keeper cottages, Roker
Pier ice cream is another new addition to the lighthouse keeper cottages in Roker, alongside Slice. It's owned by the new owner of the cottages and its ice creams and coffees can also be enjoyed in the beach club terrace at Slice. | Sunderland Echo