First look at layout of new businesses on Pennywell Industrial Estate as work on DIY store due to begin next month

Wickes will be relocating from its current base on Wessington Way to a brand new 25,000 sq ft store at Pennywell Industrial Estate.

The store will feature an ‘outdoor project centre’, service yard and 64 car parking spaces.

Work on store is expected to start in early February 2020 and the store is set to open in Autumn.

KFC was the first business to open on the site in June last year which will also be home to a new Aldi food store, and a coffee drive-through.

The development of a coffee drive through is expected to be completed in a few months.

A spokesperson for Wickes said: “We’re excited to unveil plans to open our new site in Sunderland.

“Unlike our current premises which are outdated and run down, our new store will be modern, energy efficient and feature a layout much more suited to our needs.

“It will continue to offer local tradespeople, DIY enthusiasts and those looking to make home improvements a large product range, as well as inspirational room sets across both kitchens and bathrooms.

“We’ll also have a dedicated outdoor retail area, selling everything needed to complete small and large landscaping projects.

"We look forward to showing the neighbouring community our new offering and will be sharing further details closer to the launch in 2020.”

The store openings have created new jobs in the area including between 25 and 30 at Aldi and 40 at KFC.

Planning application for the DIY store was approved in October last year with the safeguarding of 19 full and part-time being a “significant consideration” in the approval.

The new retail development is part of a multi-million-pound investment by UK Land Estates, the largest commercial property investment and development company in the North East.

Tim Witty, development director at UK Land Estates, said: “These new stores are another positive step in the redevelopment of this formerly derelict site – bringing new jobs and a much-needed boost to the local economy.”

A spokesman for Aldi added: “We want to provide Sunderland with a new purpose-built food store that meets the high expectations of our customers and are excited to be part of the wider regeneration of the local area.”