Sunderland City Council is rejuvenating a once run-down city centre in a bid to bring life back into a once renowned hotspot for culture and tourism.
With major businesses coming and going across the city in recent times, the council has made it a goal to invest in Wearside for the long-run - making major improvements which hope to stand the test of time. The latest development across the City of Sunderland which has just been opened last month is that of the City Hall - a modern headquarters for the council to work from, replacing the old and outdated Civic Centre near Mowbray Park.
However, many more established businesses and cultural hubs have been imported to the city alongside the newly opened Hall - with many more in the pipeline for the near future.
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A timeline of developments in Sunderland from the council:
Hays Travel (2018):
One of the newest Hays Travel branches in the country opened up in Keel Square circa December 2018. An independent holidaymaker founded by the late local John Hays in 1980, the newest Sunderland location allows the company to assist locals in purchasing their perfect getaway - from UK staycations to overseas destinations, from cruises to multi centres.
Mackie's Corner (Started 2019):
The beloved Grade II listed Mackie's Corner on High Street West laid dormant from the early 2000's up until last year, following a full scale restoration which started in 2019. The overhaul itself saw decaying structures brought back to life, with a £350,000 grant from Sunderland Heritage Action Zone’s Partnership Grant Scheme assisting in the works.
Now, the historic site plays host to a number of different businesses including a cakery, kitchen and stores and a number of quaint cafes.
The Beam (2019):
The first office building to be redeveloped on the old Vaux Brewery site is that of The Beam - a 'ground breaking' mixed use development site providing businesses with a litany of opportunities for growth. Although the building itself has been dubbed as an 'eyesore' by local residents, it provides 11,000sq ft of first floor office space for businesses in the area to make the most of.
Minster Park (2020):
Formerly known as Town Park, the new and improved Minster Park has saw substantial rejuvenation in terms of landscaping - even including a new central sensory garden built on the footprint of the 18th century streets of Littlegate and Southgate. Two historic street name plaques have also since been reinstated after being removed in the 1960s - alongside two further plaques to complete the set.
Pop Recs Ltd (2021):
Pop Recs Ltd also on Hight Street West provides a quaint cafe, community hub, and music and arts venue all in one - separated by soundproof double doors. Visitors can enjoy a artisan cup of locally sourced coffee in the main seating area itself, as well as seeing live performances from up and coming acts in the room adjacent.
Initially opened up by Frankie Francis in 2013 - Pop Recs once sat on Fawcett Street before opening up a second store on Stockton Road. Thanks to the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust and funding from the Council and National Lottery - the business was able to open up a permanent home on High Street West inside the Grade II listed former Binns site.
The Auditorium (2021):
The latest music and performing arts venue to open in Sunderland City Centre is that of the Auditorium at the Fire Station. The venue which has a capacity of 800 standing could see up to 100,000 visitors per year, boosting the local Wearside economy massively.
Following an £11m investment project two years in the making, the Auditorium finally opened its doors on the 10th of December 2021 - where local favourites the Lake Poets and Kathryn Tickell & The Darkness shared the stage in a night of family-friendly entertainment for locals to lap up.
What's coming to Sunderland?
The newly built Keel Square Hotel is expected to be complete later this year, 120-bed Holiday Inn offering visitors accommodation in a lively area of the city centre. The £3.5m Yard is also expected to open up in 2022, which will transform the distinctive former Gilbridge Police Station into a eye-catching new office block providing smaller offices for growing businesses.
Farringdon Row MSCP is also predicted to open its doors to the public this year, bringing a brand-new state of the art 650 space car park to the city centre, in a £14m construction.
Next year will hopefully see the unleashing of a newly-refurbished Grade II Stables at Sheepfolds, which is tipped to be transformed into a new venue following a £2m renovation. In 2024, locals can expect to see a newly refurbished Wearmouth Footbridge, towering L&G Offices, stunning Vaux Housing, and a state of the art eye hospital land on Wearside thanks to the Riverside Project.
Sunderland Train Station which is currently undergoing improvements is also anticipated to be complete in 2024, as well as the brand-new proposed Culture House in Keel Square. As well as this, the standout Grade II listed Elephant Tea Rooms will also have seen major works completed to restore it to its former glory.
In 2025, Sunderland City Council also hope to have completed a new housing plot on the site of the old Civic Centre which is earmarked for demolition, as well as the massive Sunderland City Arena at the old Crowtree Site which currently stands empty. The arena hopes to bring a brand new concert and performing arts hall to Wearside, the first of its size and stature.
What do you think of the projects going on across Sunderland? Let us know in the comments section.
