Sunderland Supremo Hails Hotel's Warm Welcome
A bar's star regular has helped launch its new business venture.
The Seaton Lane Inn, in Seaton, Seaham, has gained a huge following in recent years for its food and real ales – and well-known visitors.
Now it has opened a mini-hotel offering 18 contemporary boutique rooms.
The new venture was officially launched by Sunderland AFC chairman Niall Quinn.
The Black Cats legend became a friend of business bosses Adrian and Dee Marshall when he joined the club as a player and they were running the Phoenix pub in Stockton Road, also Seaham.
Since the hotel opened, he has helped to send trade their way as Irish guests of the club have flown over to watch matches and friends have visited the North East for a stag party.
Mr Quinn said it had been a joy to see how their business has developed.
He added: "It serves fabulous food, it's great fun and it's full of local characters.
"For me, I think that's important, rather than a big open hotel, and some of them can be pretty lifeless – you get your key, you go to your room and you go out. Here it's a totally different experience and you get a real sense of that Sunderland warmth."
He also believes additional accommodation in the area will help boost Sunderland's chances of hosting a game during the 2018 World Cup.
He added: "More and more places like this will pop up and hopefully we will get the bid.
"But if they come here it's great. Ade's a fantastic host."
This is a reproduction of an article in the Sunderland Echo by Fiona Thompson
