Plans unveiled for £1.5million bar and restaurant complex in Sunderland

Plans have been revealed for a major new development on Hylton Riverside which will house five venues under one roof.
Plans have been unveiled for the Liberty Brown sitePlans have been unveiled for the Liberty Brown site
Plans have been unveiled for the Liberty Brown site

Around £1.5million has been invested in the Liberty Brown site to more than double its size to create multi-purpose venue The Palm, which will house bars, restaurants, cafe, a street food garden and games areas.

Construction is well underway on the venue which is the brainchild of Liberty Brown owners The Apartment Group, who own a number of venues across the region.

How The Palm will lookHow The Palm will look
How The Palm will look
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Liberty Brown will remain upstairs on the site, while the new ground floor will house Tropicuba, a Caribbean-inspired bar serving tapas, tequila and more; Wildernest, a tree house-inspired craft beer and cocktail place specialising in super food salads, vegan and vegetarian bites; Pineapple Cove cafe serving sundaes and sandwiches which is aimed at families and The Garden, an outdoor area with street food stalls and live music.

Apartment Group owner Duncan Fisher says he’s passionate about bringing something new to his home city.

He said: “Liberty Brown has built up a loyal following, but is predominantly about food and we wanted to create something different, which provides a mixture of food and drink. We see it very much as destination venue where you can stay all night going between the various bars, it’s a place to escape. We have a tropical theme and we’re bringing in ten five-metre tall palm trees, we want people to turn the corner and feel like they’re on holiday.”

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The Palm is due to open in around a month’s time and will create 70 new jobs for the city.

Duncan said: “There’s nothing like this in the city and we feel the time is right for it. We want to keep Sunderland people in Sunderland by creating somewhere like this, so they don’t have to go out in other cities, while also attracting people in from around the area. It’s a gamble but we are always confident in what our venues have to offer. People said Liberty Brown was a gamble opening here, but it has a good following and we’re well placed for people in the surrounding businesses who want to host corporate events, as well as people who want to come out and enjoy themselves.” As well as food, drinks and music, the bars will have games such as retro arcades, shuffle board and ping pong. People can register for opening night at www.discoverthepalm.com

Liberty Brown is still open for business during the construction works.