Latest wave of investment to sweep into Sunderland's seaside

Sunderland's promenade is set for a makeover, with plans afoot to transform the westernmost Seaburn walkway.

Sunderland City Council is set to continue the transformation of its seaside, with a programme of improvements to Whitburn Road that will see the walkway outside of Stack Seaburn and the Seaburn Inn undergo more than £1m of improvements, including new street furniture, planters and paving that will match the look of the eastern promenade. 

The work - expected to get underway in early 2022 - will complement the £10m improvement programme already completed at the seaside, with stunning public art, seating areas and planting in place in Seaburn and Roker.

The latest round of investment will deliver a more attractive walkway, with work targeted for completion by summer next year. 

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "Our seaside is one of the city's proudest assets, and the millions spent already by the council, to create a stunning destination, is already bearing fruit with a real sense of vibrancy in the area that has attracted the interest and investment of many private businesses that can see the vast potential of Seaburn and Roker.

"We're keen to keep the momentum building at the seaside, and this latest wave of investment will do just that, delivering a stunning street scene outside of the new Seaburn Inn and Stack Seaburn, that will enhance the whole area.  We're delighted to be pushing forward with these plans, which are part of a programme that will add more polish to the jewel in Sunderland's crown."

The investment from the council is the latest in a long line of positive announcements of improvements to Seaburn and Roker, which was named by The Times as an 'exemplar of coastal regeneration'. 

As well as new buildings at Seaburn, three heritage landmarks - The Seaburn Tram Shelter, the Bay Shelter and a former toilet block at Roker - are all set to be converted into stunning new coastal venues, adding to the area's thriving food and drink scene.

Councillor Miller added: "There has been a near-constant stream of investment going into our seaside, and it's delivering a place that residents can be proud of - and indeed, a place visitors want to come and experience.

"You only have to pop to the seaside to experience the transformation.  It's a bustling, exciting place to be now, and we're proud to be fuelling the area's regeneration with more and more investment into a place we're so lucky to have on our doorstep."

The investment is part of an unprecedented city-wide regeneration programme, that is also delivering a transformed city centre, with £350m of live development projects underway at Riverside Sunderland.

To stay up to date with the city's transformation, visit www.mysunderland.co.uk.