A cool new casual dining offer for Sunderland fans
Sunderland AFC appointed 20.20 to support their stadium improvement plans for their incredible fanbase and to put the Stadium of Light on the map for a great match-day experience. Tommy Banks, owner and chef behind two michelin star restaurants and a four Rossette restaurant, is a huge fan of the club, and therefore put his heart and soul into the new fine dining concept Banks on the Wear, also designed by 20.20. (see here).
76 Yards is a concept created by 20.20, it’s based upon the 76 shipyards in Sunderland, and features a heart-warming pie shop by Tommy Banks named ‘Tommy’s pie shop’ within a large casual dining space. This elevated match day experience has a private entrance, panoramic views of the stadium, and is the perfect way to have a pre-match and post-match drink and bite to eat.
The concept for 76 Yards was inspired by the enormous influence Sunderland’s shipyards had on the city’s industrial growth. In 1840, Sunderland had a record 76 shipyards, the highest number in the world at the time. We wanted the space to evoke that heritage - immersing guests in an industrial atmosphere that feels as though they’ve stepped aboard a ship. Throughout the venue there subtle design details reference the craft of shipbuilding, ceiling panels that echo the scaffolding used in the yards, while the riveted panelling around the perimeter mimics the interior structure of a ship. The two central columns beside the main bar are designed to resemble wind funnels, with markings that nod to the waterlines found on a ship’s hull.
