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PRIVACY
Retail & Consumer

Relaunched Vaux Brewery to open up 100-capacity bar in empty beachfront shelter

A deal secured by Bradley Hall for Sunderland City Council will see the George Clarke-backed brewery launch a bar offering food at Roker

From left: Michael Thompson, George Clarke and Steve Smith outside the Marine Walk beach shelter they plan to turn into a bar.(Image: Supplied by Creo Comms)

A disused beach shelter overlooking Roker beach is set to become the latest addition to Sunderland's nightlife thanks to the entrepreneurs behind the rejuvenated Vaux Brewery.

Michael Thompson and Steve Smith acquired a lease on the Victorian shelter and now plan to turn it into a 100-capacity bar serving beers and food.

Construction work on the Marine Walk building is set to start later this year and the pair plan to open for business in summer 2023. The converted shelter will also gain a nearby storage facility and office.

Read more: Clearly Drinks toasts record year in 135-year history following £6.5m investment

The move will mean Vaux - which was relaunched in 2019 as Mr Thompson and Mr Smith acquired the rights to the brand - will have two locations in the city, including the in June last year.

Mr Smith said: “We’ve walked past this shelter for ages and have always felt that it would be the perfect space for us. When the council put it out to tender, we thought it was an opportunity that was too good to pass up.

The beach shelter is set to be turned into a 100 capacity bar.(Image: Supplied by Creo Comms)

“The new space won’t be just a Vaux bar; it will be more of a beachfront bar and kitchen. It’ll be a space to relax in after a long week with good craft beer, good food and good wine. We really see the Roker Shelter as the final piece of the Marine Walk puzzle as it’s been crying out for development for years – we are just thrilled to be the ones to take on the challenge.”

Joseph l’Anson, associate director at Bradley Hall who led on the deal, said: “Letting the empty Roker shelter to Vaux Brewery will make a considerable impact to the hospitality sector in Roker and around Sunderland.