NORTH EAST FOOD lovers will be able to enjoy a range of top dining experiences at bargain prices, as Sunderland announces details of its second city-wide Restaurant Week.
More than 50 restaurants, cafes and bars took part in the inaugural event held in September, organised by the city’s Business Improvement District with the backing of Sunderland Business Partnership.
And the success of that week – which saw some venues increasing footfall by up to 40 per cent and brought in an estimated £250,000 boost to the local economy – has led to the organising of a spring initiative.
Sunderland Restaurant Week will run from Saturday 11 March until Sunday 19 March and the city’s many eateries are already lining up a range of offers to entice both local visitors and those from further afield.
Gemma Dishman, Marketing and Communications Manager at Sunderland BID, said that restaurants were already keen to get behind the event.
“Our first week was a huge success which brought in thousands of visitors to the city,” she said.
“The reports from the restaurants which took part were incredibly positive and many reported a real surge in business, particularly at times which may have normally been quieter.
“We are very confident that we’ll see a similar picture this time round and we look forward to all the special offers that cafes, bars and restaurants will be putting in place.”
Gary Hutchinson, chair of Sunderland Business Group and Sunderland North East Chamber of Commerce, added that the week was a “great opportunity to show the diverse range of restaurants the city has to offer.”
“We know from the first event how many visitors were attracted into Sunderland, many of whom returned,” he said.
“Restaurant Week is not just a great opportunity for the people who live in the city to find out more about what’s on their doorstep but it also a chance to showcase Sunderland’s great restaurant culture to visitors from further afield.”
The first week saw people travelling from Northumberland, Teesside and Durham to Sunderland to experience restaurants across the city.
For more details visit www.experienceithere.co.uk. Restaurants, bars or cafes wanting to take part in the event should contact Natalie.dellow@bidsunderland.co.uk or call 0191 562 3130.