Sunderland leaders get behind City of Culture bid

Sunderland's City of Culture bid has stepped up another notch after it received more heavyweight support.
Sunderland Partnership board, with sitting, Ken Bremner and Jessica May, partnership manager.Sunderland Partnership board, with sitting, Ken Bremner and Jessica May, partnership manager.
Sunderland Partnership board, with sitting, Ken Bremner and Jessica May, partnership manager.

The bid has been backed by Sunderland Partnership, which is made up of many of the city’s major organisations.

Included in the partnership are Sunderland City Council, Sunderland University, Sunderland College, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Gentoo, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Northumbria Police, North East Chamber of Commerce, Job Centre Plus and Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group .

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They have thrown their full support behind the city’s bid for the 2021 UK City of Culture title.

Partnership board chair Ken Bremner, chief executive of City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s important that the 2021 judges appreciate and understand that the city stands as one behind the bid.

“There’s absolutely no doubt that a successful bid would help in the partnership’s aim of tackling the challenges the city faces.

“A successful bid would be transformational – leading to massive investment and a huge confidence boost for the city.

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“It would also lead to a change in the way we’re seen outside of the city, something that has already happened for Hull, whose profile and image has changed dramatically since being named City of Culture 2017 back in 2013.”

Hull’s economy is expected to be boosted by about £60million after winning this year’s title.