Former Tynemouth Toy Museum set to open as bar and restaurant

A new restaurant, bar and lounge is set to open in the former Toy Museum in Tynemouth.

Hospitality group Loungers PLC will open Durano Lounge in the Palace Buildings on Grand Parade in Tynemouth next week. It will sit alongside independent businesses Tynemouth Surf Co, Surfer's Café and Scorchio.

The West Country cafe-bar group has seen rapid growth in recent years and has a strong presence in the North East. They opened Martino Lounge in Sanderson Arcade in Morpeth in August 2023, followed by Muro Lounge in Hexham and Coltello Lounge in Cramlington in November 2023 - surpassing a total of 200 "lounges" across the UK.

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ChronicleLive reported in December last year that Loungers had submitted a planning application for a section of the Palace Buildings. The successful application marks the first time that the former museum has been occupied since Tynemouth Toy Museum closed in 2012, after previous bids such as transforming the site into a cultural centre and public events space fell through.

Durano Lounge, which will be open throughout the day for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinners and drinks, has been billed as a relaxed, welcoming space in Loungers PLC's "unmistakable and unique style." Loungers PLC says that the latest venture has created 30 - 40 jobs, but cannot provide an exact figure until it opens.

The company plans to put community and neighbourhood "at its heart" and says it will welcome locals looking for a space for regular catch ups, meetings and events. The lounge will also cater to families and children with a selection of books, colouring pencils and pads on offer.

Gemma Irwin, head of community at Loungers, said: "We're so looking forward to opening the doors of Durano Lounge next week. We hope our family friendly environment and top-notch food and drink offering will prove popular with local residents.

"We're passionate about integrating genuinely into the communities we serve so we're looking forward to meeting everyone and to playing our part at the heart of Tynemouth's food and drink scene. Anyone looking for a space to host events or groups should pop in once we're open, we'd love to hear from them and see what we can do to help."

Durano Lounge is set to open on Wednesday, November 27.