Thousands welcomed by Sheepfolds Stables in the opening week

In the first week since opening, thousands of guests have been welcomed through the gates of Sheepfolds Stables in Sunderland after a hugely successful launch.

As one of the North East's most hotly anticipated food, drink, events and entertainment destinations, crowds of eager people including families and children queued outside the fully redeveloped and reimagined, 140-year-old former stables buildings ahead of its doors opening last Friday (02 August).

At its peak, the queue tailed back to the Stadium of Light, and once inside, people of all ages enjoyed a range of live music, DJs, and the very best food and drink served up by a mix of high quality, independent operators, all creating an electric and inclusive atmosphere in the most historic of settings.

Si King of The Hairy Bikers, who is due to hold pop-up events at Sheepfolds Stables in the future, officially opened the venue alongside Rick Marsden, managing director of Building Design Northern Ltd (BDN), developers of the Grade II listed site.

A breakdance competition was also organised by award-winning, Southpaw Dance Company which has made modern studio space at Sheepfolds Stables its new HQ. This attracted many young talented performers who participated in a series of dance-offs, with hundreds of people watching on.

Nigel Wood, General Manager of Operations said, "The turnout on our opening night, the launch weekend and the week to follow has been absolutely phenomenal, and we would like to thank all those people who have come down and showed their support. There has been a lot of hard work and effort gone in behind the scenes to create a venue of this high calibre and quality, and to see it all come to fruition with the most amazing atmosphere and high turn-out of people has been exceptional.

"We have a jam-packed schedule of live music, sports, pop-up shops and events going forward, and we'll soon be welcoming many supporters through our doors before and after SAFC's home matches and to watch on the big screen. We're open seven days a week and whilst anyone can pop in for food, drinks, a pint of Pit Pony or just to have look at the site, we highly recommend making reservations with our individual restaurant operators given their popularity."

Sheepfolds Stables is a new £4m social and leisure development which has been meticulously preserved, restored and dramatically transformed to become a highly talked about venue. The heritage-rich, former stables building dates back to 1884 and now includes Ember - serving up rich flavours of Asia in small plates, fusion cuisine and a la carte dishes; Vito's Osteria - offering a true Italian experience combining distinct Mediterranean flavours with a lively 'family dinner' atmosphere; The Calabash Tree - an absolute must for street food lovers mixing authentic Caribbean tastes and traditional spices; I Scream for Pizza - adding a twist to traditional pizza making with surprising topping combinations and locally-sourced ingredients; Spey Snug - award-winning single malts, juniper gins, premium cigars and artisan products from Speyside Distillers; Mother Mercy -  the 'go-to' place for imaginative cocktails, and Deep North with a cult following for its fresh doughnuts and made from scratch fillings.

Two main bar areas - The Taproom and Back of the Pit, are exceptionally fitted out with many original features retained. Both serve specially crafted 'Pit Pony' Helles lager, exclusive to Sheepfolds Stables, as part of an iconic collaboration with VAUX Brewery.

An outdoor entertainment space with stage, large outdoor screen and seating areas, is paved using approximately 30,000 original cobbles, all lifted, cleaned and carefully re-laid by hand, completing the site's unique hospitality offering.

The 20,000 sq ft development overlooks the River Wear next to the Stadium of Light and is set to become a truly unique social, business and leisure venue for the North East.

More information can be found via Sheepfolds Stables' website at www.sheepfoldsstables.co.uk