PICTURES have revealed the latest progress of a 120-bed hotel which is set to open in the North-East next year.

Earlier this week, the steel frame of the brand new hotel in Sunderland City Centre was seen as it was put in place.

The new hotel, which will be operated by Holiday Inn and is costing £18m to build, is set to open its doors in spring, next year.

Located on the new Keel Square development, work on the four-storey hotel began last year as plans were officially approved in 2019.

The Northern Echo: The hotel is set to have 120 bedrooms in Sunderland City Centre Picture: HOLIDAY INNThe hotel is set to have 120 bedrooms in Sunderland City Centre Picture: HOLIDAY INN

Responsible for the development, the Cairn Group has said the site will feature active ground floor space, occupied by cafes and eateries.

Meanwhile, the upper floors will provide "attractive" accommodation for business and leisure visitors coming to the city and the region.

The Northern Echo: The steel frames have now been installed Picture: CONTRIBTORThe steel frames have now been installed Picture: CONTRIBTOR

Richard Warren of Cairn Group said: "It’s fantastic to see the frame in place for this excellent new addition to the city’s hotel offer. 

"We are really excited by the plans for Riverside Sunderland and can see such potential in this part of the city, so we’re delighted to be developing a venue that can play a part in the success of Sunderland.

“The hotel will stand in a prime position, allowing it to attract both leisure and business guests.  It’s full steam ahead until opening now.”

The Northern Echo: The hotel is being built on the new city centre development Picture: CONTRIBTORThe hotel is being built on the new city centre development Picture: CONTRIBTOR

According to the group, the new addition to the city centre will create 130 full and part-time jobs when it opens next year.

It has already been confirmed that two of the four retail spaces under the hotel are set to be let by Sunderland City Council.

The Northern Echo: Plans were first approved in 2019 Picture: CONTRIBTORPlans were first approved in 2019 Picture: CONTRIBTOR

Peter McIntrye, executive director of city development at Sunderland City Council, said: “The active ground floor frontage will make this hotel a hive of activity, with guests of the hotel and people living and working at Riverside Sunderland and the rest of the city centre able to make use of the eateries that open there. 

"The hotel will play an important part in connecting the city centre to the Vaux site and we’re thrilled to see it moving forward.

“Hotel developments are a real vote of confidence in the city’s visitor economy as well as its ability to attract business travellers – and we’re pleased that Cairn Group can see the increasing sense of vibrancy that is building in Sunderland.”