SPRING/SUMMER 2024

IT’S HAPPENING...

IN SUNDERLAND

Inside... everything you need to know about the Food & Drink Festival, Sunderland City App, Make Music Day, Pride, Purple Flag, as well as all the usual stuff!

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the BID newsletter – and a particular welcome from me as the newest member of the BID team.

I am currently working as an executive assistant and office administrator and I am loving every minute of being part of this exciting journey.

As you know, the BID has just entered its third term and it’s going to be a fantastic year, with so many events and developments taking place.

I’m excited to see the Sheepfolds development unfold and how the city centre will change when it incorporates the new Vaux housing scheme and the housing development on the old Civic Centre site, as well as the homes being developed on land at the bottom of High Street West.

WELCOME TO OUR NEWSLETTER

I am also looking forward to seeing Sunniside enjoy a new lease of life with the new cinema and leisure offerings around that area.

I’m starting at Sunderland BID at an exciting time when real plans are taking shape and it feels like Sunderland has a strategy and plan for the future and real investment. I’m so privileged to be at the heart of all that’s good and being part of the amazing plans coming to Sunderland.

I’m a Sunderland girl born and bred and have previously worked in a whole range of sectors including Sunderland City Council the NHS and the construction industry.

It’s fantastic to be a part of the amazing work that the BID is doing and you’ll get a flavour of everything that’s happening in the pages ahead.

I’m delighted to be able to support the BID team in all of their activities –

and there are a lot of them! – and to play a part in helping build a positive and exciting future for the city.

We hope the stories that we’re featuring this time round – from the Food and Drink Festival to the launch of our Affiliate Scheme – will inspire you, engage you and inform you.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the coming months.

Nicola Wyatt Executive Assistant and Office Administrator, Sunderland

BID

FOOD, DRINK AND MUSIC –WE’VE GOT IT ALL COVERED!

They’re back! Two of the most popular events on the Sunderland calendar are set to return this summer, increasing footfall and boosting the economy across the city centre.

Sunderland Food and Drink Festival

Sunderland Food and Drink Festival will take place across the city centre over the weekend of 7-9 June, with the promise that it will be bigger and better than ever before.

Along with showcasing cuisines from across the world and highlighting the food offerings of local traders, it will also be a feast of live entertainment.

Local musicians, DJs and artists will be

performing as well as music from top Abba tribute act, Voulez 2, He Knows She Knows, Khalysis, Ami Vaziri and many more to be announced.

It’s a family friendly event with lots of fun activities for youngsters – where they can also learn about sustainability – and with a host of walkabout characters.

Find out more at sunderlandfooddrinkfest.co.uk

Make Music Day

Hot on the heels of the Food and Drink Festival comes Make Music Day on 21 June.

This took place for the first time last year and was such a success that there

was no hesitation in planning for its return.

It’s a joint venture between the BID, Sunderland City Council and We Make Culture and the aim is to bring the whole city alive with the sound of music that day.

Performers will play at busking spots around the city centre but we’re also looking out for shops, restaurants or venues of all kinds to stage some kind of musical entertainment on that day – and we can highlight it as part of our Make Music Day plans.

Any businesses wanting to get involved in any of the events please email info@sunderlandbid.co.uk

AFFILIATE SCHEME

There are many businesses across Sunderland which are not BID levy payers but recognise the benefits we bring to the city – and want to take advantage of those opportunities.

Because of this we are launching an Affiliate Scheme – and we’ve already had a number of businesses who have signed up to join it.

The benefits of signing up to the scheme are many – from being invited to special events to being able to participate in training opportunities, marketing activities as well as support in reaching CSR targets or raising brand awareness.

Joining the scheme brings other benefits too; you’ll be part of a winning team which is influencing genuine

change and adding value across the city with the chance to have a voice – and an active role – in that change and be part of everything that’s happening in Sunderland.

Among those who have already joined are SSE Energy Solutions, Building Design North, MMC Research and Marketing and Penshaw View Training. Phillipa Breckon, Director at Penshaw View, said she didn’t hesitate to sign up.

“We previously used to be based within the city centre and paid the levy for Sunderland BID,” she said.

“We really valued the support, promotion and business opportunities the BID brought to the table.

“Since moving out of the city centre

and no longer being a BID levy payer, we were approached about supporting the BID as an affiliate member.

“We are proud to be Sunderland BID’s first affiliate member and excited about the opportunities our partnership will bring to help create a vibrant city and more opportunities for everyone.”

In addition to the Affiliate Scheme, there are several sponsorship opportunities on offer for businesses wanting to support the BID’s work this year.

A number of events are making a welcome return in 2024 – from the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival that last year attracted 15,000 visitors, to Restaurant Week, Cocktail Week and more – and sponsorship opportunities are numerous.

Any businesses wanting to join the scheme or find out more about sponsorships can email roberta@sunderlandbid.co.uk or ring 0191 722 1002.

BLANDFORD STREET IMPROVEMENTS

The BID has been working closely with businesses in and around Blandford Street to build the profile of the area and help create a distinct identity.

The initiative has had the full support of businesses across Blandford Street and surrounding area and we are currently in the process of adapting the new brand developed specifically for the area, as well as working collectively to drive more footfall.

We’ve invested directly in the area by creating a new, eyecatching mural as part of the Future Walls project aimed at brightening the area. We’re using these first steps as a springboard to sprucing up the whole street – which we believe will raise awareness and encourage shoppers to visit.

We’re creating new vinyls to cover the tired planters and are coming up with new art displays that people can enjoy while sitting on one of the benches.

One of our most ambitious projects will be an overhead display of coloured tassels (subject to planning approval) - think of the umbrellas in Durham city centre – which will create a unique canopy.

Hopefully this will become a destination in its own right for the Instagrammers who, once they’ve got their selfie, can visit local shops.

The plan is to make the tassels out of recycled or unwanted materials, which will be constructed by the community in a programme of workshops that will take place in Blandford Street.

The BID team will be visiting the businesses soon to get permission to attach some infrastructure to their buildings that will help us to install the display.

WEST PARK QUARTER

If you’ve passed the former Civic Centre site recently, you’ll have seen that the development of new homes is starting to take shape.

Contractor and developer, Vistry Group, is behind the project – named West Park Quarter - which borders Park Lane and Stockton Road. It will create 244 new homes - all just a fiveminute walk from the city centre.

Bob Beadle is project managing the development, which will comprise a mix of apartments - housed in two blocksand two to four bedroom terraced and town houses.

Bob is in no doubt about the benefits it will bring – both to those fortunate enough to live in the new homes and to the city centre in general.

“It really is a fantastic location for people of any age,” he said. “Not only is it within easy walking distance from the city centre but it couldn’t be handier for public transport, with the bus station just around the corner and the railway and Metro station close by.”

The benefits to the city of having

hundreds of residents of all ages living so close to its shops, bars, restaurants and other services, are expected to be significant, too.

“The knock-on effect as far as the city is concerned, can’t really be over-estimated,” continued Bob. “Not only will the project bring almost 250 households within walking distance of all that Sunderland has to offer, they will also be visited by friends and family members, all of whom will no doubt be keen to explore the area as well.

“Footfall will increase and that will boost the local economy - so it really is hugely beneficial for everyone.”

The effects of the new development on the surrounding area are already being felt. One example is the way in which it has opened up the landscape and a large number of the new properties will enjoy exceptional views over Mowbray Park.

That nearby greenery, coupled with a landscaped, wooded communal area within the development itself, will create a sense of semi-rural living, right in the heart of the city.

“Now you can really see how beautiful the park is,” added Bob. “Before, it was pretty much obscured by the Civic Centre.”

Homes on the new site have been carefully designed to complement the grand Victorian terraces which surround it and will be brick built with stone detailing on window and door surrounds.

Bob explains that the development isn’t just about bringing new homes to the city centre. “It’s part of a bigger picture,” he says. “You can’t visit the city now without noticing how much it has changed and is continuing to change.

“It’s a really forward thinking city which values great design and understands that city centres need to evolve to meet the needs of residents, businesses and retailers and visitors alike.

“There’s so much positive work going on and those who buy a property here at West Park Quarter will have it all on their doorstep.”

BOOST YOUR VISIBILITY WITH THE SUNDERLAND CITY WIDE APP

Sunderland City Council is just about to launch the new Sunderland Citywide App: a one-stop hub for everyone who lives in, works in and visits our city.

Tailor-made to enrich people’s experience in Sunderland, the app is packed with updates on local events, must-visit spots, and more – the ultimate destination for all things Sunderland! Our goal is to provide a smooth, integrated experience in Sunderland for everyone who lives in, works in and visits Sunderland, offering a wealth of information about our vibrant city.

Your business can list on the app for FREE to boost your visibility among an engaged audience. To get involved, you can submit content for the Sunderland app – such as business information, events and offers – promoting your organisation.

• Share information about your organisation to amplify your presence in Sunderland

• Submit exclusive local offers to drive new customers to your business

• Spotlight your upcoming events to enhance your visibility and increase sales

Ready to shine bright on the Sunderland Citywide App? Join us in showcasing the best of what Sunderland has to offer! Just drop us an email at cityapp@sunderland.gov.uk.

PURPLE FLAG

As part of our priority to create a more welcoming, cleaner and safer city centre for all, we are working on gaining Purple Flag accreditation for Sunderland.

Purple Flag is the gold-standard when it comes to nighttime economy and will bring increased footfall, positive perceptions and an improved public image, as well as lower crime and antisocial behaviour and contribute to regeneration in our city.

We will be working closely with partners and levy payers to ensure the smooth and collaborative delivery of this award and we look forward to including you on this journey to a thriving nighttime economy. Look out for details of how you can get involved coming soon.

If you have any questions, please email kirsty.currie@sunderlandbid.co.uk or ring 0191 722 1002