£2m plan to redevelop Sunderland post office

Developers have revealed a £2m plan to convert one of Sunderland's biggest and best-known buildings into a restaurant, brasserie, bar and nightclub.

The old post office in West Sunniside was built in the mid-19th century but has stood empty for two years since the Royal Mail left.

But now London-based St James Capital wants to convert the four-storey post office as well as a large one-storey sorting area.

The Grade II-listed building measures 25,000sq ft in total. The developers believe it is in a prime site in the city centre.

It is close to where a multi-million-pound multiplex cinema and bowling alley are due to be built in the near future.

The building has been bought by St James subject to planning permission. Sunderland Council is expected to make a decision on the application in February.

St James says it has plenty of experience of converting old buildings across the country, including the former Union Club in Newcastle, which is now run by JD Wetherspoon.

A spokesman said: "The old post office is a fantastic building. It has so many features which we intend to use.

"There's a gap in the market. Sunderland has not seen the sort of growth it should have seen. It's a big city, but many people look to Newcastle or Leeds for a night out, which is incredible.

"We want to convert the building into a bar, brasserie and restaurant on the ground floor with a basement nightclub and a late-night bar."

The St James spokesman said it was looking to operate the building almost 24 hours a day.

By Nigel Green