Improvements to a former retail store in Sunderland city centre are set to be made in the hope of attracting food and drink businesses.
Jopling House has been bought by the council in a move it describes as being "vital to ensuring the building contributes positively to city regeneration". The former high street department store, which was converted into student accommodation around five years ago, will be improved at ground floor level with the aim of attracting retail or food and drink businesses.
It is hoped the move will bring "vibrancy at a street level" with improvements set to be made to the external fascia which was left unfinished by the previous owner. The acquisition will allow the council to maintain the current use of the building, after suggestions the building could be sold and repurposed.
