Our History

The Quayside Exchange is a Grade II listed building situated in Wylam Wharf close to Sunderland City Centre and overlooking its impressive waterfront. This grand building is of immense historical and architectural importance to the city and has great presence as the centre of Old Sunderland, an area from which the present city grew.

The Quayside Exchange was built by Mr. George Cameron of Chester-le-Street, the grandfather of Mr. Joseph Swan - the inventor of the electric light bulb. The first stone of the building was laid on 10th August 1812 by Sir Henry Vane Tempest. The building opened to the public on 10th May 1814. The Exchange Building became Sunderland's first Town Hall in 1836. During the early part of the 19th century, it was the scene of great social events. Throughout its history the Town Hall hosted many magnificent banquets, most notable of which was held in 1827 by the Marquis of Londonderry to entertain his old commander from the Peninsular War, the Duke of Wellington. Other guests included Sir Walter Scott, who recorded the event in his diary.

By 1914 the building's occupants had included The British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company, the Money Order Savings Bank , the Post Office, Seaman's Mission Institute and the Telegraph Office.

After the premises were vacated in the 1960's the building was unoccupied until 1996 when North of England Civic Trust, with funding from Tyne & Wear Development Corporation and working with English Heritage, Sunderland City Council and the Heritage Lottery fund, undertook a £4.5 million refurbishment project.

In 2002 Keeping Inn Ltd leased the premises from the North East Civic Trust and invested substantial sums developing the building into a fully equipped conference and banquetting venue.

The company are keen supporters of the Sunderland Heritage Quarter regeneration project, which aim to use the past to breathe new life into the district lead an East End revival.