City set for double hospitality site boost

A city centre is primed for a twin hospitality boost.

Pizza restaurant and cocktail bar No.32 is set to open in Sunderland.

And national operator Loungers is bidding to bring Varo Lounge to the city’s Keel Square.

Council bosses say the lettings “mark another milestone in its ambition to create a vibrant city centre”.

Led by restaurateurs Tamer Hassan and Vittorio Farigu, No.32 promises handcrafted pizzas, cocktails and light bites in a jazz-inspired setting.

Loungers – which operates more than 250 sites across the UK – has submitted a licensing application to take the last ground-floor commercial unit at Keel Square to create a café bar alongside The Botanist, Flower Café and Keel Tavern.

Both investments have been supported by Sunderland City Council's business investment and property teams.      

Councillor James Jackson, portfolio holder for business, housing and regeneration, said: “Creating a thriving city centre isn’t just about building new homes and offices; it’s about creating places where people want to spend their leisure time too.

“These two new arrivals are another important step in building a vibrant hospitality offer.”

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