Grade II listed Sunderland building transformed into new pub
The refurbishment of Lambton House, in High Street West, Sunderland, was completed after the owners, Philip and Valerie Gibbs, successfully submitted plans to Sunderland City Council in 2023.
The Gibbs, longstanding clients of Swinburne Maddison LLP, a Durham City law firm, purchased the building in 2010 as trustees of their family trust, Arrow Commercial.
Diane Hall, solicitor, Swinburne Maddison with Steven Smith, Director of The Bridge Hotel Vaults (Image: Submitted)
The building was leased to Sunderland City Council for office use in 2014.
After the lease was surrendered in 2023, Arrow Commercial started their refurbishment plans.
The planning application proposed changing the use of the ground floor from offices back to a public house with a restaurant at the rear of the building.
The upper floors will remain as offices available for rental.
The plans were approved in September.Steven Smith, Director of The Bridge Hotel Vaults and Vaux Brewery,Daniel Shannon, Director of The Bridge Hotel Vaults and Pop Recs with Diane Hall,solicitor, Swinburne Maddison (Image: Submitted)
Commenting on the completed project, Philip Gibbs said: “Lambton House is a perfect demonstration of how we operate as a business.
“When we saw this building, we were determined to bring it back to a full and useful commercial life and at the same time, create new jobs, so I was delighted when our plans were approved.”
The ground floor will be divided into two units with shared washroom facilities.
The main bar will be operated by The Bridge Hotel Vaults Ltd and the restaurant by MPC Sunderland Ltd.
Diane Hall, an associate solicitor in Swinburne Maddison’s commercial property team, was involved in the legal work on the project.
She said: “Given the age of the building, which dates back to 1797 when it was built as a house for the Lambton family, this has been a particularly interesting project to work on.
“With a portfolio that includes a range of other local properties and business interests, I hope I will be able to provide legal advice and support to Arrow Commercial on similar instructions in the future.”
Mr Gibbs added: “We are extremely pleased with the way this transaction has gone.
“Diane and the commercial property team at Swinburne Maddison have done a great job for us and we are thrilled to be able to announce that we also have some new tenants.”
The building has served as a number of different businesses over the years, including The River Bar until it shut down in 2022.
It was previously the Londonderry pub.