Sunniside
This is a prominent, tight knit, urban area in the eastern part of the city centre, containing many historic buildings. Aspirations for this area include its designation as a mixed-use urban quarter, attracting new development and uses and improving the existing linkages and urban landscape through a conservation-led regeneration strategy working with the historic fabric and urban grain.
Sunniside Partnership was set up by Sunderland arc, Sunderland City Council, One North East and the Homes and Communities Agency in 2003 to oversee and co-ordinate the implementation of a portfolio of projects to achieve the regeneration of Sunniside under the direction of a dedicated Project Director.
To date the area has attracted over £90m of private investment.
A key project for Sunniside Partnership was the creation of Sunniside Gardens. This £2m public open space was completed in March 2007 and has become the heart of this revitalised, cultural, city quarter. It has received a string of awards including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) North East Renaissance Award 2008 in the category of regeneration.
A £6m arts and business centre thePlace was officially opened in November 2008, providing new artist studios, gallery, office and performance space as well as a café/restaurant. It is now home to a diverse range of creative businesses and is hosting a series of innovative exhibitions. thePlace was named Best Office Development at the region’s Journal Landmark Awards in October 2008. Sunniside continues to attract regular artistic activity, with rolling projects taking place in and around the gardens.
Businesses have been consulted on plans to extend public realm improvements along the principal city centre routes into Sunniside. Funding has been secured and works are scheduled to begin in May 2009. International artists have been commissioned to create art installations as part of the improvements.
A new ten-pin bowling alley and residential project in High Street West, led by Gentoo/Helios, was completed in November 2008.
The Sunniside Planning and Design Framework, which was produced to guide and promote the comprehensive development of the eastern edge of Sunniside, was adopted as a SPD in summer 2008. Following this, and with support from One North East, strategic sites have been and continue to be acquired, which has enabled Sunniside Partnership to actively engage with private sector developers to achieve delivery of this masterplan.
The Sunniside Commercial Property Grant Scheme has received funding for a further year and will continue until 2009/10. It continues to attract steady levels of take up.
The Safeguard Grant Scheme, which successfully provided financial assistance for security and external improvement of properties within the Back on the Map area, came to an end in 2009.
Sunniside Partnership is working with stakeholders including City Centre Management and Business Link to support local businesses in the area during the current economic climate. The ‘Explore Sunniside’ marketing campaign was launched at the end of 2008 in a bid to raise the profile of the area. Activity to date includes a Sunniside discount card, window vinyls, car park maps, radio, press and metro station advertising. The campaign will be rolled out as further funding is secured.
Over the past 12 months a further 11 new bars, restaurants and cafés have been established in Sunniside proving there is a growing confidence in the area. The high standard of the businesses is helping to promote Sunniside as a place of real quality.
Also since early 2009 planning permission has been granted for a 60-bed hotel at High Street West, and there are also proposals to create a 120-bed budget hotel at Joplings department store.
