I've brought new life to an old bank on a well-known local Sunderland high street

Like many local high streets, Sea Road in Fulwell lost its local Lloyds bank when the branch closed in 2023, leaving the prime corner block empty.

But two years later, the site is now serving the community once more after becoming home to Vallelys.

Owned by Nicola Vallely, and named after her Irish surname, Vallelys has seen a major transformation of the building as it brings a new boutique cafe to the local high street.

Nicola has a background in hospitality, but over the past couple of years branched into upcycling clothes and championing sustainable fashion.

She was initially looking for a retail space, but after falling in love with the old bank site, she saw its potential for hospitality.

“I drove past this site and it had been empty for around a year at that point,” she said. “I was doing upcycling and it had got too much at home, so was looking for a retail unit.

“That was my initial plans for the site but it soon escalated into a boutique cafe.”

Vallelys, which is dog-friendly, is still only in its first few weeks of business, and initially is doing coffees, cakes, teas, a selection of wines, premium spirits and Madri on draught.

However, in the New Year, it will be launching grazing boards, charcuterie and cocktails, as well as space for retail.

“I really wanted to create a warm, welcoming space where people can just come in and have a drink on their own, or with a group of friends,” said Nicola.

“We’ve only been open a week and it’s been crazy,” said the businesswoman. “People’s response has been amazing, they’ve been saying it’s just what the area needs.

“I think people like that it’s an independent and that they can come in and chat to the owner. I’ve not had a business on a local high street before, but I already love being part of the community here. I’ve also loved putting my own stamp on the site. For the first time in business, this is all my own vision.”

Personal touches include dance shoes from Nicola’s dance competition days, a grandfather clock from her grandparents’ house and a drawing of their home.

Speaking about the future plans, she said: “I’m really going to go with the flow with the food menu.

“We’ll start with the sharing boards and will see what kind of options people want.”

Nicola is using her new neighbours as much as she can, such as fruit and veg from Barlow’s and bread from Juliet’s and says Vallelys is already proving popular for post-work drinks for people who work on the street.

She’s also taken on the lease for the upstairs rooms at the building, which will house therapists, aesthetics and more moving forward.

The large space means there’s also scope for arts and crafts nights, which are also part of the plans for 2026.

*Vallelys is open seven days a week from 10am, which will change to 9am during the week when the schools are back to coincide with the school run. It’s open later on Fridays and Saturdays until 11pm.