Go-ahead for new £18m Sunderland hotel set to create 130 jobs

Work on a new hotel in the heart of Sunderland is set to begin imminently after final council approval was given .

Final agreements for a new £18m Holiday Inn Hotel in the city centre were made between developer Cairn Group and Sunderland City Council this week, with construction to begin over the summer.

Overlooking the city centre’s Keel Square, the new 120-bed hotel will also comprise a range of amenities as well as ground-floor commercial units. It is expected that the hotel will create 130 new jobs when it opens next year.

Part-funded by Canada Life, a commitment secured by Avison Young, the hotel development forms part of a wider regeneration of the city.

Cairn Group’s Richard Warren commented: “We’re delighted to be able to push forward with the development of an exciting new addition to the city’s leisure and hospitality portfolio.

“We are thrilled to be part of regenerating Sunderland and remain committed to investing within the region.”

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, added “This has been a challenging time for the city, as it has for the UK at large, so it is good to be able to announce a really positive development for Sunderland, and one that demonstrates that we are ready to emerge from this crisis on the front foot and deliver the dynamic city centre our residents want and deserve.

“We had the wind in our sails before COVID-19 struck, and I am determined that we do not lose any momentum, as we push ahead with the transformation of our city centre and the wider city. We’re delighted to have signed this deal and look forward to seeing the hotel take shape.

“Community wealth building projects – deals we facilitate that support the jobs of local people both during the construction phase and thereafter, are at the heart of our vision for transforming Sunderland. We’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact of this scheme for local people.”