SOS - Save Our Store! Petition to keep former Sainsbury’s site in Sunderland as retail outlet attracts hundreds of signatures

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s closed its Station Road store in Fulwell for the final time in October last year – with the site standing empty and no confirmed plans for it since.

Following the closure, Southwick resident Tony Wild and friend Martin Dent set up both a paper and online petition, which more than 700 people have signed combined, in an effort to keep the site as a retail outlet.

The 75-year-old revealed that he decided to set it up after he spoke to local people about the impact that it is having on the community surrounding Sea Road in Fulwell.

He said: “I was in Fulwell Community Library and there was a few people talking about the affect that it is having on them so I decided that it was time to do something about it.

"There is a tremendous amount of discussion on Sea Road about the the impact that the supermarket closing is having and there are obviously rumours flying around about what it could be next.

"The most common rumour is that the site will be converted into a residential one with flats being built on it.”

Tony also spoke of his surprise at the amount of support that the petition has received and expressed the hopes of the local community.

He added: “I’m quite elated about the amount of responses that we have on the petition so far along with the feedback from people who have signed it.

"Everyone keeps saying how much that they miss the store being there and most are desperate for it to be another supermarket.”

Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Secretary, Councillor Paul Stewart, has said that the site is marked for retail use and that there will be an opportunity for public comment on any future plans.

Cllr Stewart commented: “The City Council has zoned this area for retail use following extensive consultation on our city’s planning policies.

"Applications and plans for its future would be determined with that in mind alongside other local and national policies.

“And, as part of that process there would also be opportunities for public comment."

If you wish to view Tony and Martin’s online petition, then you can by clicking here.

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