Work begins again at Sunderland's Vaux

Work on Sunderland’s Vaux site has restarted.

The development of the former brewery site was halted in January when the construction firm Carillion collapsed.

But Gateshead-based firm Tolent has been awarded the contract to complete the first building.

This award has been confirmed by Sunderland City Council’s development partners Siglion – responsible for the development of the Vaux site as well as several other regeneration projects in the city .

Tolent has worked on other high profile projects in the city in recent years, including the construction of the Beacon of Light, Hilton Garden Inn in the Stadium Village, the Echo Building and housing on Doxford Park estate. It has restarted work on the first building, The Beam, which can be seen from High Street West, as well as infrastructure, a new public square and continuation of the Keel Line.

Developers expected that The Beam will open early in 2019, with more than 59,000 sq ft of office and leisure space, extending the footprint of the city centre towards the riverside, connected by Keel Square.

Many of the workers who originally worked on the Beam have been re-engaged to finish the building.