An artisan whisky lounge has become the latest venture to sign up for a £2m leisure scheme in Sunderland.
Multimillion-pound plans to convert derelict Sunderland stables into Sheepfolds, a new drink, music and food destination, are already attracting a range of exciting drinking and dining businesses. Now the regeneration project, bring driven forward by architecture, civil and structural engineering firm Building Design Northern (BDN), is raising a glass to Speyside Distillers, a distillery in Scotland’s Cairngorm Mountains, which has become the newest business to sign-up for the Grade II listed venue.
The Spey Snug – a stunning whisky lounge set to be decorated with heavy fabrics, a moody colour palette and leather furniture – will tell the story of Speyside’s heritage as well as serving up Speyside’s single malts, gin and a range of cigars, when it opens its doors this year. The Snug is the fourth business to be announced and will take up a space close to the venue’s stage. The riverside venue is being brought back to life by BDN, which recently renovated the Old Simpson Street School, as its own commercial development.
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Speyside Distillers is based out of an 18th Century converted mill, drawing its water from the Spey River tributary using an old mill lade that has been powering the building for generations. It is run by John Harvey McDonough, who has long-running connections with Sunderland, having once lived in Pallion.
He said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Spey Snug to Sheepfolds in Sunderland, working with the BDN team. Having lived in Sunderland previously, it is wonderful to come back and be part of a venue that will be a stunning addition for people living and visiting the city.
“This is a really special venue with such heritage. It was an opportunity we just couldn’t pass by. And to be able to develop a new product that will give this venue something really unique to offer to its customers is just fantastic.”
The venue plans to hold whisky and cigar tasting evenings and will also be available for private hire. It is also looking to produce a special Sheepfolds Single Malt. The venue will also house artwork by Mr McDonough’s wife Joanna, whose work features on bottles of Spey whisky.
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Earlier this month, Resinn, a concept coffee shop, was announced as the third occupier of the former stables building, alongside Zinc, a new restaurant from the team behind Route, a Michelin Guide restaurant in Newcastle, and a new eatery from TV chef Si King, who will serve up dishes inspired by his travels around the world.
Richard Marsden, managing director at BDN, added: “The response to this venue has been fantastic, not only from people in Sunderland, but from businesses that are keen to be part of it and we’re delighted to have Speyside Distillery on board, to bring a really different offer to Sunderland. The stables building has such provenance, so working with businesses that have a strong heritage brand is a great fit for us. We can’t wait to work with John and the team to create a really stunning venue for visitors to enjoy.”
BDN has been supported with its plans for the building by Sunderland City Council.
Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “The offer at this brilliant new venue just gets stronger and stronger with each announcement, and as a Scotsman with a passion for Sunderland, I am particularly pleased to see Speyside Distillery launch its first Spey Snug outside of Scotland in this wonderful city I am proud to call home.”
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