Sunderland’s newest hospitality venue, Sheepfolds Stables, is filling up with Deep North set to take up anew site at the venue.
The independent doughnut and coffee shop has established bases in Tynemouth and Newcastle, and will launch its Wearside venture in one of two new-build kiosks at Sheepfolds Stables – the reimagined, Grade II-listed premises next to the Stadium of Light.
The black clad building is positioned in one of the courtyard areas and is designed to resemble a similar structure that would have stood in its place back in 1884 when the site was a working yard.
Deep North has built a cult following across the North East thanks to its artisan doughnuts and speciality coffee. The company operates a scratch bakery, making all elements of its doughnuts in-house and producing a fresh batch each day following a 24-36-hour process of making and proving dough, rolling, frying and decorating. Deep North’s experienced baristas serve speciality coffee, primarily from coffee partner Allpress, using top of the range equipment including orange La Marzocco espresso machines.
Phil King, who launched Deep North with business partner Tom Clark in 2022, said: “We can’t wait to bring Deep North to Sunderland. Having seen the growth and development of the city over recent years, we have been looking for the right opportunity for us – and Sheepfolds Stables fits perfectly. There is loads going on in the area and we are excited to be part of that. We have popped up at markets and events in Sunderland over the last 12 months and we’ve loved how well we have been received.
“We focus on doing two things and doing them really well – speciality coffee made by baristas who have a real passion for coffee, and quality artisan doughnuts with a fresh, interesting and ever-changing menu. We think we bring something new and exciting to the table and look forward to being part of this superb venue and its range of brilliant food and drink operators.”
Part of the Riverside Sunderland regeneration masterplan, Sheepfolds Stables is a £4million development which boasts an eclectic line-up of venues offering everything from Italian to international cuisine, and Caribbean cooking to Neapolitan pizza.
Built in 1884, the buildings – which were once stables and a horse hospital owned by the North East Railway Company – overlook the River Wear and are being developed by Sunderland-headquartered architecture and engineering practice Building Design Northern Ltd (BDN).
Tenants include Spey Snug – a whisky and cigar lounge from Speyside Distillers; The Calabash Tree – serving up Caribbean food inspired by the traditional tastes of Trinidad and Tobago; Ember – an international restaurant with dishes created by chef Tamar Hassan, who has worked in some of the world’s best restaurants; Vito’s Osteria – offering authentic Italian cuisine served as small plates and providing an authentic taste of Italy; and Mother Mercy, one of the top-50 cocktail bars in the UK.
Southpaw Dance Company – the award-winning contemporary dance company – has also opened new studio space in a large part of Sheepfolds Stables and will provide entertainment to the thousands of people who visit each year.
