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Consumer

The obsession with not using cash hasn't necessarily been seamless. Sunderland Echo images.

Cash is still king, and Sunderland AFC ticketing illustrates the point Tony Gillan

Empires Stores on Galashiels Road in Grindon is one of the participating shops. Sunderland Echo image.

'Back-to-school' grocery bundle 'for a penny' in two Sunderland shops Tony Gillan

FoodCycle needs more volunteers in Ashbrooke.

Charity launches free meals scheme Tony Gillan

The Rawmarsh Road shop is one of the three in the area taking part. Google Maps image.

Bag of shopping for a penny Tony Gillan

Dispatches director Jezza Neumann with Harry Molyneux from Leicestershire and Doreen from Tynemouth who feature in the documentary. Sadly Sunderland man, John Foster, who also appears, was unable to attend.

Sunderland man in distressing documentary Tony Gillan

Sign up for the Echo's free We Are Sunderland newsletter, rounding up the city's best bits every week.

Celebrate Sunderland's highlights with our new weekly newsletter Debra Fox

Hamreek Singh and his niece, of Empire Stores in Grindon, showing off some of the goodies in the penny bundle.

£7 worth of goodies for only 1p Tony Gillan

Sunderland's C&A was a popular meeting spot in its day - but it was also a popular choice for your spring and summer wardrobe. Elaine Howe said: "C&A kept up with fashion, well made and reasonably priced."

BHS, C&A and Geordie Jeans! The Sunderland shops you loved for new clothes Debra Fox

Local resident Andy Stafford and Richard Beck, chair of the Fulwell and Sea Road Traders Association, are heading the campaign to save the branch.

Hundreds sign petition to save Sunderland bank Tony Gillan

The Barclays branch in the Galleries will close on Friday, July 21. PA image.

Another Barclays branch to close Tony Gillan

Customers can enter the new store at Dalton Park from 9am on Friday, April 28.

New branch of The Range to open a week earlier than planned Tony Gillan

Criminals are after NatWest customers' bank details.

Email scam warning to NatWest customers Tony Gillan

A warning has been issued to phone users over a WhatsApp scam.

Warning over WhatsApp scam Tony Gillan

Chargers will be at Washington Services, north and south bound.

New charging hubs for Washington Services Tony Gillan

The 150 year-old Museum Vaults scored 8.1 out of 10.

Three Sunderland pubs among ‘best in Europe’ Tony Gillan

A new Aldi store is proposed for Hetton-le-Hole. Getty Images.

Plans in for new Aldi store in Sunderland Tony Gillan

The Sunderland Soup Kitchen will be one of the organisations to benefit.

‘Food bank Generation Game’ Tony Gillan

The Rawmarsh Road shop is taking part in the scheme. Google image.

How to get a bundle of goodies for just a penny from this Sunderland shop Tony Gillan

Bambi mug from the Disney range would make a sweet Mother's Day gift

Disney-inspired Mother's Day gifts are on sale now Sue Wilkinson

Best home energy efficient lighting: eco-friendly low-cost bulbs

Best home energy efficient lighting: eco-friendly low-cost bulbs Jacob Little

Loading up the Holland's pies on the drone for delivery (photo: Ben Frith)

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s a pie! Nigel Booth

Cooplands in Houghton is to close in June.

Bakery chain branch set 'to close in summer', according to reports Tony Gillan

Fraudsters are sending what looks like Disney+ branding on emails, claiming a possible 98% discount on subscriptions.

Fraudster's fake £2 Disney+ offer Tony Gillan

The union and Royal Mail blame each other for the slow deliveries. PA image.

Row as Sunderland is ranked 'among the UK's worst' for mail delivery times Tony Gillan

Sign up for the Sunderland Echo's email newsletters today.

How to sign up for the Echo's free email newsletters Debra Fox

Rawmarsh Road's Premier store. Google image.

Wine and chocolate for a penny Tony Gillan

Which car will be most popular in 2023? (above) (photo: Adobe)

Predicting most popular cars for 2023 market Nigel Booth

Four great micropubs which are well worth a try.

Rise of the micropub: How these tiny bars are blossoming Tony Gillan

In survey Audi A1 was car with the lowest running costs (photo: Adobe)

Data reveals UK’s favourite cars that cost you most and least to run Nigel Booth

How the new appartments on the former Vaux site will look.

First of 1,000 new homes being built on old Vaux site - how they will look Echo Reporter

Start the year off by downloading a digital budget planner (photo: Adobe)

Helpful saving hacks to help with the cost of living Nigel Booth

Transport chiefs have approved a fresh hike in ticket prices on the Tyne and Wear Metro

Metro ticket price hike approved Daniel Holland

New year, new career - experts share job-hunting tips Sue Wilkinson

Firefighters have raised concerns over the "weird and wonderful" heating methods some households may attempt to beat the Cost of Living Crisis.

Fire chiefs' warning over 'weird and wonderful' alternative heating methods Nic Marko

Nearly a half of Brits are worried about losing their job (photo: Adobe)

Nearly half of Brits are worried about losing their job

Sunderland Soup Kitchen founder Andrea Bell said it was "incredible" to have a song created about the work of the Kitchen.

New BBC Radio 2 songs capture life Sunderland Neil Fatkin

Transport chiefs are expected to approve a fresh hike in ticket prices on the Tyne and Wear Metro

Planned Tyne and Wear Metro fare hikes branded ‘insulting’ Daniel Holland

Shots of Whitburn Lodge Fire (01-01-2023) being tackled by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. Photos by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS):Whitburn Lodge New Year's Day fire

Calls to demolish derelict Whitburn Lodge following fire Nic Marko

A Metro passes through the reopened line between Pelaw and South Shields.

Metro ticket costs to be capped at £4 per day James Harrison

In case you can't keep out of a supermarket for more than 24 hours.

Supermarket opening hours on New Year’s Day Tony Gillan

The Miller Homes showhome at Trinity Green, Pelton.

Ad Feature Miller Homes: ‘key report will debunk myths in Sunderland’ Jackie Mitchell

Shoppers in Sunderland have been speaking about their plans for Christmas.

Sunderland shoppers have their say on Christmas and the cost of living Kevin Clark

Plans for Christmas closures at Sunderland's railway station have been slammed by North East leaders.

Sunderland station Christmas closure plans could be "crippling" for city centre James Harrison

Proposed site for the new retail units, including a planned Sainsbury's Local, near housing development in Ryhope

Plans submitted for new Ryhope retail centre – including Sainsbury’s Local Chris Binding

Hylton Castle Post Office will move from Martin's/McColl's to Costcutter in January. Google image.

Post office moving to new premises to 'safeguard services', say bosses Tony Gillan

Campaigners are warning of a looming mental health crisis as family's face financial challenges this winter.

Campaigners warn of impact on mental health from rising bills James Harrison

Council tax is set to rise in Sunderland in 2023/24 - but not by as much as the Government has said it could.

Sunderland heading for council tax rise in 2023/24 James Harrison

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, in Burdon Road.

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens temporarily closed Debra Fox

Sunderland's new drive-thru Starbucks, in Salterfen Road, opens on Friday, November 25.

How you can get a free reusable cup as Starbucks opens new Sunderland drive-thru Kevin Clark

Don’t miss out on Government-backed funding to keep your home warm this winter

Ad Feature Get free heating upgrades with fully-funded boilers and insulation Nick Drainey

A popular food and drink market return this weekend

Food market to return to Sunniside Gardens after successful Sunderland debut Katy Wheeler

Robert Douglas, 50, hopes the Budget targets energy companies with a windfall tax.

Sunderland shoppers plead with Chancellor for help ahead of Autumn Budget Neil Fatkin

Lee Taylor and Dean Kelly, owners of Bargain Clearance Centre.

Washington Bargain Clearance Centre sees 1,500 customers on opening weekend Georgina Cutler

A three-month cap on Metro ticket prices due to be introduced next year will slash the cost of fares.

Metro fare cap approved by Tyne and Wear travel chiefs Daniel Holland

Bethany’s family ministry leader Craig Scott is running the campaign.

Christmas appeal aims to ‘give dignity to parents’ Tony Gillan

Tyne Tunnel tolls are set to rise next year.

Tyne Tunnel toll rise approved by travel chiefs Daniel Holland

The incident happened on the Metro system.

Metro depot strike called off Daniel Holland

Bosses at Washington Galleries shopping centre have submitted plans for new electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

Bid lodged for more electric vehicle charging points in Washington Chris Binding

The new look Metro trains being built by Swiss firm Stadler.

Countdown on for new Metro trains Daniel Holland