It’s a sister site to the popular Seaburn branch.

“Seaham has been so supportive,” says the owner of a new dessert cafe that’s already hitting the sweet spot.

Train Line owner Christian Carney, centre, with staff members Ava McGeorge and Macy Black | Sunderland Echo

placeholder image — Train Line owner Christian Carney, centre, with staff members Ava McGeorge and Macy Black | Sunderland Echo

Sunderland businessman Christian Carney opened his first Train Line in 2020 after transforming the old Seaburn News at Seaburn Metro Station.

Thanks to its wide range of sweet treats, it’s built up a firm following since then.

Now, Christian has branched into Seaham with his first sit-in Train Line dessert shop and cafe.

There was much anticipation about the new addition to a new build unit at the far end of North Terrace and the first week of Train Line trading has proved a runaway success.

The new addition has already sold thousands of sweet treats | Sunderland Echo

“This has been our first week of opening and we’ve sold out every single day,” said Christian. “This weekend, we’ll have 4,000 different slices of cake and we expect to sell out of them, too. The people of Seaham have been so supportive and it’s a really lovely community.

“We already have quite a big social media presence and a following already which helped, but the response has been amazing, we’ve been so busy.

“We’ve also had great feedback. People say they really like the chilled vibe and the music. We also don’t rush people out, we want them to sit and enjoy the space.”

The Train Line has opened in a new build unit at the far end of North Terrace in Seaham | Sunderland Echo

Christian has had the keys to the unit for a while and there’s been a lot of interest in when it would open its doors.

“It took a while, but that’s down to the size of the unit,” said the businessman. “We had to bring a full kitchen and production in, down to the electrics, and we wanted to make it fit for the future.”

It’s the first time Train Line has had a sit-in offering, with 35 seats as well as takeaway options, creating 15 jobs.

Individual cakes are just some of the options on offer | Sunderland Echo

On the menu, there’s a kaleidoscope of cakes and sweet treats on offer, including cupcakes, cookie pies, cheesecake pots, cake jars, tarts, bronuts (brownie donuts) and more, with prices starting from around £4.75.

The bigger premises means the Train Line can also now offer gelato, waffles and chocolate covered strawberries, with plans for pancakes and more.

Other new additions include DJ sets, with an Ibiza DJ taking to the decks this weekend.

Drinks-wise, you can pick up milkshakes, tea, soft drinks and coffees, with prices starting from £2.50.

The dessert cafe seats 35 people | Sunderland Echo

Speaking about why he chose Seaham for his flagship Train Line, Christian, who juggles running his businesses with being a Coastguard, said: “I’d been looking for a place to open a new branch for 3/4 years. Seaham is so up and coming and this unit was the perfect spot.

“This site has a totally different look to Seaburn, but I wanted to reflect the coastal setting and make it in keeping with all the upmarket places along here. North Terrace already has some great independents.”

The Train Line is named after its first location at Seaburn Metro, but is still relevant in Seaham. At the other end of North Terrace, next to Bells Fish and Chips, marks the end of the old railway line which would transport coal from the collieries to the docks.

The past few months has seen a wave of openings in North Terrace, with La Dolce Vita and Namaste also opening their doors.

There’s also a busy few weekends in store, with Seaham Carnival taking place on July 18 and 19 and Seaham Food Festival on August 1-2.

*The Train Line in Seaburn and Seaham is open 10am to 10pm seven days a week.