IT’S HAPPENING...
Inside... everything you need to know about the new BID team, Christmas programme, Sunderland Cocktail Week, Business Breakfast, as well as all the usual stuff!
WELCOME TO OUR NEWSLETTER
As we approach the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the past few months and share some important updates from the BID. It’s certainly been a busy and transformative period for us.
Earlier this year, we were delighted to launch the new Seafront BID, marking an exciting new chapter in our work. Following our annual business survey, one of the recurring pieces of feedback we received was a call for greater visibility from the BID team. We took this on board and recognised that, while our structure had served us well since we launched in 2014, it was time to evolve to meet the needs of businesses today.
With that in mind, we carried out a full review to identify how we could operate more effectively and efficiently. The outcome of that process led to a restructure of our organisation, ensuring we are now truly fit for purpose - not only for our current requirements,
but also for the challenges and opportunities the future may bring.
We’ve focused our resources where they’re needed most and created several new roles designed to strengthen our services and build stronger connections with businesses. This includes the appointment of our first Head of Business Services (a new role taken on by a familiar face), who will work alongside me on strategic planning and delivery.
We’ve also welcomed a new Events, Marketing and Communications Executive, supported by two interns: one specialising in marketing and the other in events. Together, they’ll be working to enhance our profile and boost engagement across the city.
In addition, we’ve appointed one Business Liaison Officer, who will focus on promotion and engagement - liaising with businesses and helping to attract additional funding for the BID.
We’re currently recruiting for a second officer, who will concentrate on street services, ensuring the city centre remains safe, secure, and welcoming.
Our Street Rangers continue to be a tremendous success, and as our coverage area has grown, we’ve also brought on board a part-time Assistant Street Ranger to help meet the increased demand for their support.
If you haven’t yet met the new team, they’re looking forward to getting out and about - helping the BID continue to support both your business and the city as a whole.
We hope this new structure demonstrates how we’ve listened to your feedback and taken action to strengthen the BID for the future. As always, we’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need anything.
Sharon Appleby Chief Executive
MEET THE NEW FACES
Meet the new team – we are sure they will become familiar faces in the coming months.
Our new Head of Business Services needs no introduction – as it is Roberta Redecke, who has been with the BID for more than 9 years. She brings with her an unparalleled understanding of every aspect of the BID’s work.
Our new Events, Marketing and Comms Executive is Chloe Kelly, who will be working alongside our Events Intern, Grace Fawcett.
Roberta Redecke, Head of Business Services. roberta@sunderlandbid.co.uk 07903793940
Grace studies at the University of Sunderland, but has taken a year as part of her course and has already been involved in supporting the BIDs’ social media channels and at events like Restaurant Week and Urban Fest.
Chloe and Grace will be coming up with new ideas, along with planning and delivering events for both the City Centre and Seafront BIDs.
At the same time, Chloe’s focus will also be on driving footfall to both areas.
Our new Business Liaison Officer is
Chloe Kelly, Events, Marketing and Comms Executive. chloe@sunderlandbid.co.uk 07904406216
Debbie Bowman, Business Liaison Officer. debbie@sunderlandbid.co.uk 07984381451
Debbie Bowman, who will be working very closely with Roberta to learn more about the city’s businesses, how the BIDs support them, and to ensure they get the most out of the opportunities available.
Last but definitely not least is Vincent Everett, who will be working on a parttime basis with our Street Rangers team.
He will be helping businesses with any environmental concerns and generally working to ensure that both the city centre and the seafront are welcoming for residents and visitors.
Grace Fawcett, Events Intern. grace@sunderlandbid.co.uk 07961049064
Vincent Everett, Assistant Street Ranger. assisstantstreetranger@sunderlandbid.co.uk 07903783176
CHRISTMAS IN SUNDERLAND
The festive season is just around the corner – and it will officially begin in Sunderland on Thursday 13 November with the grand Christmas Light Switch On at Keel Square.
To get everyone in the right mood, a stage will be set up, which will be home to a programme of family entertainment. It will culminate in the The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Sunderland and the Sunderland Empire Pantomime cast flicking the switch – lighting up the city.
More details of the full programme of entertainment and events will be announced in the near future, so please keep an eye on our regular digital newsletters and our social media channels.
Christmas Window Trail
Attracting shoppers to spend in the city is vital at this time of year – and so we’ve come up with an incentive to drive festive footfall.
The BID is launching its Christmas Window Trail and we’re inviting businesses to get involved.
We’re partnering up with Del’s Doodles, a fantastic North East artist who specialises in creating eye-catching murals and window art.
Del’s Doodles will be decorating
windows on the theme of Sleeping Beauty – to coincide with the pantomime at the Sunderland Empire – and these windows will form a trail around the city for families to take part in.
Those who participate will also be able to enter a competition to win the ultimate Christmas Experience, with the whole event supported by a lively marketing campaign we’re running in conjunction with Hits Radio North East.
We have a limited number of spots available for windows to be decorated, so they’ll be designated on a first come, first served basis.
There will be a cost associated for the individual businesses, but the BID is also contributing to make this cheaper.
If businesses would like to get involved, they need to contact our Business Liaison Officer, Debbie Bowman, by sending an email to debbie@sunderlandbid.co.uk or by ringing the office on 0191 722 1002.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
People in Sunderland can see 2026 arrive in real style – thanks to two dazzling firework displays designed to light up New Year’s Eve.
The free firework displays are planned for the evening of 31st
December, the first of which is more family-friendly and will take place at 6.30pm.
In the build-up to that event, the fun will start late afternoon with a number of live music performances, children’s activities and a community parade which will continue all the way through to midnight.
The second display will take place as the clock strikes 12, welcoming in the new year in spectacular fashion.
Businesses can expect road closures to be in place for the event. For more details, please keep an eye out for our digital BID bulletin.
Spend It In Sunderland This Christmas
This festive season, we’re excited to launch the “Spend It In Sunderland” campaign, encouraging everyone to explore and enjoy everything our city has to offer. Whether it’s shopping at local stores, dining out at our fantastic restaurants or attending seasonal events.
The campaign will use a mix of digital advertising and organic promotion to highlight Sunderland as a vibrant destination this Christmas. We’ll be showcasing local businesses and what they
have to offer, event listings, and much more. We’re also planning physical marketing assets that will help spread the word while brightening the city centre and seafront streets.
By showcasing everything Sunderland has to offer, the campaign aims to support local businesses, drive footfall, and increase dwell time. If you have anything special planned for Christmas, please email us at info@sunderlandbid.co.uk
Christmas Decorations in Sunniside
As part of the UKSPF project, Sunniside Gardens will be decorated with Christmas decorations, including baubles and gift-shaped ornaments, just in time for the Christmas light switch-on.
The trees in Sunniside Gardens have become a focal point for the community, previously decorated for events such as Lunar New Year, and are always a hit on social media. Residents and visitors often share photos, helping to raise awareness of the area and celebrate everything Sunniside has to offer.
SUNDERLAND COCKTAIL WEEK
What’s the best way to get over the post-festive blues? Raise a glass at Sunderland Cocktail Week. After a successful inaugural event last year, we’re doing it all again from 30 January to 8 February –just when everyone has got Dry January out of the way.
This is a great opportunity for bars, restaurants and pubs to benefit from what is traditionally a quiet time of year.
You need to commit to offer at least one signature discounted cocktail or one discounted mocktail during the run of the event (of course the more you offer, the better for business) which needs to cost £5 - £7.
People buy a wristband which allows them to take advantage of the discounts on offer, which can have the added benefit for businesses that they will also purchase other drinks and food.
If your business doesn’t sell alcohol, you can still join in by offering exclusive mocktail or food deals during the event.
If your business would like to take part, you can sign up by sending an email to info@sunderlandbid.co.uk
WEAR
The thought of launching one business is more than daunting for most people, never mind launching two in a relatively short space of time.
So it’s testament to the tenacity and commitment of Sarah Farrell-Forster and her team that they have managed to do just that.
The recently opened Wear in the city’s former Aphrodite store at Vine Place is the latest chapter in the success story of her organisation, AutismAble.
But this isn’t just about creating new retail and hospitality outlets – it’s about a social enterprise which also gives fantastic, paid opportunities for those who are living with autism.
Originally Sarah and her husband were teachers, working with people who were neurodivergent.
They both realised that the support for anyone “dropped off the edge” once they got over a certain age, and the couple decided they needed to do something about it.
In 2015 AutismAble was born, created to help anyone facing the challenges that neurodiversity can bring.
What started as a social club in South Shields grew in 2019 to the opening of the first SeaChange café, which gave work and training to people who otherwise might struggle.
“We wanted to give people support and to help them into employment,” said Sarah.
Along with running the café was an employability training programme to help give the necessary skills with a guarantee of a work placement.
As part of her long term dream – and ambition – to have a SeaChange café in “every town and city” Sarah moved into the café at the Museum and Winter Gardens in March.
A range of sweet and savoury dishes are on the menu every day at the café, which at the same time provides real employment for its trainees.
Not content to rest on their laurels, AutismAble decided to open a second site in Sunderland, which welcomed the public in October.
Wear is not only a café which –when fully operational will also offer their signature “Cheesas” toasted sandwiches – but is also home to an upmarket vintage clothes shop.
Preloved designer wear and “dead stock” ie brand new fashions which haven’t been sold so make their way to charities are just some of the items in store.
Although still in its infancy, Sarah is confident thanks to the positive response so far – both by the trainees, their support staff and customers.
She hopes that the value that the trainees bring to the business will encourage other companies and organisations to work with AutismAble and to offer job opportunities.
“We are really committed to creating workplaces that are more inclusive and we’d be delighted to work with any city businesses who would like to find out more,” she said.
For further information Sarah can be contacted at info@seachangecafe.co.uk
Since it was first launched, Sunderland Gift Card has continued to go from strength to strength, giving people the opportunity to let the recipient choose something they really want.
With both individual and corporate sales increasing year on year, if your business isn’t signed up to take part then there is still time to do just that before the festive shopping gets underway.
Last Christmas we sold more than £100,000 worth of cards – money that came straight back into local businesses and the local economy.
If you’d like to join up or just want to find out more, please email giftcard@sunderlandbid.co.uk
SUNDERLAND GIFT CARD
BUSINESS BREAKFASTS
Our Business Breakfasts are highly valued by local businesses and stakeholders, offering the
opportunity to explore emerging topics, hear the latest updates on city developments, and gain insights
relevant to your business - all before 10.30am!
We are always seeking new venues and expert speakers to contribute to these sessions. If you would like to be involved, or want to find out more about how your business can benefit, please email our Business Liaison Officer, Debbie Bowman, at debbie@sunderlandbid.co.uk or call the office on 0191 722 1002
