New 'Cleo's bar' planned for former Coral bookmakers in Park Lane area of Sunderland city centre

Sunderland City Council’s planning department has validated an application for a business unit at Park Lane in the St Michael’s ward.

This includes a change of use from a bookmakers to a ‘public house (bar)’ with outside seating and barriers.

The unit was last occupied by a Coral betting shop with new plans aiming to bring the site back into use once again.

Work has already started on the building with a new frontage and signs naming the site as ‘Cleo’s Bar’ offering both a disco and karaoke.

According to an application submitted to Sunderland City Council, the plans are partly-retrospective and work started on the building in early August, 2022.

Proposed floor plans show how the new building will operate, with a public area, bar, DJ stand and staff area on the ground floor and public toilets and a ‘retail area’ on the first floor.

Plans also show an outside seating area with space for around eight tables surrounded by rope barriers with aluminium posts.

Applicants have confirmed that the tables, seats and barriers would be removed when the business is closed to the public.

A decision on the planning application for the site will be made once a period of council consultation has concluded.

According to information on Sunderland City Council’s website, a decision is expected by November 15, 2022.

For more information on the planning application, visit Sunderland City Council’s online planning portal and search reference: 22/02111/FUL