Entrepreneur Nicola Vallely is embarking on the next phase of her transformation of a former Sunderland high street bank, with plans to turn the upper floor into a new beauty and wellbeing hub.
The development continues Nicola’s reinvention of the old Lloyd’s Bank building on Sea Road, Fulwell, which she has already brought back to life with her popular boutique café and wine lounge Vallelys – named after her Irish surname.
Opened in December 2025, the business already employs a team of 12, is recruiting for a further three positions, and is outperforming sales forecasts.
Nicola is now preparing to convert the top floor of Vallelys House into a dedicated space for wellbeing practitioners, therapists and creative workshops, creating a seamless, joined-up customer experience.
She also aims to make space for her clothes and homeware upcycling brand Trash NV, inspired by her mam’s dressmaking skills, and the original spark of her vision to create a warm, inclusive space where women can feel comfortable visiting alone.
Nicola said: “I was initially just looking for retail space for my upcycling business but I fell in love with this building and realised it had potential to be so much more.
“I decided to take on the whole building and focus first on establishing a coffee shop which transitions into a wine lounge in the evening. I’ve been blown away by how well it’s been received by the community and can’t wait to get started upstairs.”
The next chapter comes as Nicola receives major recognition for her entrepreneurial venture: an invitation to Downing Street by the Chancellor of the Exchequer for an event celebrating North East female founders, following a nomination by her business adviser Helen Wardropper at the North East BIC.
Nicola has worked with Helen throughout her entire start-up journey, after turning to the BIC for guidance in March 2024 with the seed of her business idea.
Together, they navigated everything from cash-flow modelling and insurance to supplier and professional introductions. With this practical scaffolding in place, Nicola says her creativity and passion for customer service was allowed to shine.
Nicola added: “Starting and running a business can feel extremely overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to manage operations, finance and growth all at once.
“I’d had lots of experience of hospitality in the past and I knew exactly how to deliver great customer experience but not setting up a business.
“The support I received from Helen gave me structure and encouragement I needed. Having access to experienced advisers who understand the challenges of small businesses has been amazing.
“I’ve come a long way – both personally and professionally – since I started working with Helen. I made a conscious decision at 50 to start a new chapter in my life and to channel my energy into creating something of my own.
“I cannot relate to the person I was two years ago. The first day I opened, I was mopping the floor and thought, I’m so proud of myself!”
Nicola is now looking to collaborate with local therapists, practitioners and wellbeing businesses to join Vallely House on the top floor.
Building on Trash NV’s upcycling roots, she will also launch creative and confidence-building sessions from upcycling evenings to peer support meet-ups designed to make it easy to go along solo.
Business adviser Helen added: “Nicola is a confident and passionate woman with a strong environmental ethos. From day one, she had a unique, values-led vision and a real appetite to collaborate with the right partners so the business could grow sustainably.
“It’s been lovely to see that vision come to fruition – a testament to her determination and hard work. She’s a credit to the city and the welcoming, positive environment she is creating for locals and visitors aligns exactly with Sunderland’s tourism strategy. I wish her the utmost success and prosperity going forward.”
The start-up support from the BIC forms part of the Enterprising Sunderland project which has received £523,541 from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme, managed in Sunderland by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership.
Cllr Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for housing, business and regeneration, said: “It’s fantastic to see Vallelys continuing to grow with the opening of the new beauty and wellbeing hub and to see Nicola’s efforts being recognised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
“The Enterprising Sunderland programme was set up to help residents realise their dreams of becoming their own boss and Nicola is a fantastic example of how the initiative is doing just that. She is a fantastic success story for the city.”
For more information about how the BIC’s business support could help you become your own boss, call 0191 516 6111 or click here to request a call back.