Tolent Construction has been appointed to resume redevelopment work on the stalled Vaux site in Sunderland.

Work on the former brewery site was halted after contractor Carillion collapsed into liquidation in January.

Sunderland City Council's development partners Siglion – which is responsible for the development of the whole site, has now confirmed Tolent will deliver the first building on the scheme, The Beam, as well as infrastructure, a new public square and continuation of the Keel Line.

The 59,00 sq ft of office and leisure space is scheduled to open in early 2019.

Council Leader Graeme Miller said: "The redevelopment of this site is of massive strategic importance to the future of our city, and we can all be delighted that building is about to resume.

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"We have been working hard with Siglion to find new construction partners since Carillion got into difficulties and believe in Tolent that we have found the company best placed and prepared to take things forward.

"We're delighted that work is underway once again on The Beam, the first building on the former Vaux site."

David Roberts from Siglion said: "We are delighted to have found a partner in Tolent that we absolutely know can deliver this project to the highest possible standard.

"The Beam is going to be an iconic building, and it is already making an incredible impact on the skyline in Sunderland. We are pleased that, after a pause, we'll soon see work resume on site to deliver this ground-breaking building."

David Thompson, Regional Director from Tolent, said: "We are really pleased to have been chosen to complete work on The Beam, which is a stunning building that will mark the start of the creation of a vibrant new district in the city centre.

"Building work is well advanced, but there is much to do to complete it, and we're looking forward to getting this hugely important building completed, working with our established network of sub-contractors, who we know will deliver this project to an exceptional standard."

(LM)