Wear brought retail back to the former Aphrodite site in Vine Place when it opened this month. The shop side of the business has pre-loved clothes from brands such as Stone Island, Puma, Kappa, Burberry and many more. Meanwhile, the coffee shop side is a sister site to SeaChange at the Winter Gardens, giving employment opportunities to people who are neurodivergent.placeholder image
Wear brought retail back to the former Aphrodite site in Vine Place when it opened this month. The shop side of the business has pre-loved clothes from brands such as Stone Island, Puma, Kappa, Burberry and many more. Meanwhile, the coffee shop side is a sister site to SeaChange at the Winter Gardens, giving employment opportunities to people who are neurodivergent. | Sunderland Echo

18 great independent shops worth checking out in Sunderland city centre

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 18th Oct 2025, 15:00 GMT

While Sunderland city centre has sadly lost some big high street names due to the national retail climate, it still houses a burgeoning wave of new independents, as well as Wearside institutions, who offer the kind of service you’ll struggle to find in the big shops.

And with the city centre welcoming two new shops this month, we’ve rounded up just some of the city centre’s independents worth checking out, in no particular order.

Collinson's jewellers in Crowtree Road is one of the city centre's most well-known shops, specialising in watch, clock and jewellery repairs since 1981. Pictured here is the time lord himself, Harry Collinson Snr with a ship's clock destined for The Adelaide with a young Adelaide Maddison who was named after the ship

17. Collinson's, Crowtree Road

Collinson's jewellers in Crowtree Road is one of the city centre's most well-known shops, specialising in watch, clock and jewellery repairs since 1981. Pictured here is the time lord himself, Harry Collinson Snr with a ship's clock destined for The Adelaide with a young Adelaide Maddison who was named after the ship | Sunderland Echo

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Fancy dress shop Dr Funkenstein has been putting the fun in fancy dress for years. They offer a great selection of weird and wonderful costumes.

18. Dr Funkenstein, Derwent Street

Fancy dress shop Dr Funkenstein has been putting the fun in fancy dress for years. They offer a great selection of weird and wonderful costumes. | Sunderland Echo

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As well as being a cafe for sit in, The Sweet Petite offers all manner of cakes and sweet treats to buy, with options changing regularly to match the seasons.

19. The Sweet Petite, Mackie's Corner

As well as being a cafe for sit in, The Sweet Petite offers all manner of cakes and sweet treats to buy, with options changing regularly to match the seasons. | Sunderland Echo

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