Why the haste? Campaign group hits out at University of Sunderland over National Glass Centre contents auction
The university has defended the sales and said it is part of the process of clearing and securing the building
Upset campaigners still hoping to save the National Glass Centre (NGC) building from demolition have hit out at the University of Sunderland for auctioning off the contents of the centre.
The auction took place on Thursday.
Ahead of the auction, members of the Save The National Glass Centre gathered outside of the building in a “show of continued opposition to the dismantling of a much-loved public cultural asset and the loss of Sunderland's internationally recognised glassmaking heritage”.
A spokesperson said: “We find it deeply disappointing that the university has proceeded with the disposal of the National Glass Centre's contents when it knows how strongly the people of Sunderland feel about this building.
"More than 50,000 people have signed our petition. The building has now been recognised as an Asset of Community Value, formally acknowledging its importance to the community. Sunderland City Council has also expressed its support for retaining the glassmaking facilities and finding a sustainable future for the NGC.”
The University said the NGC was closed over spiralling running costs and the prohibitive costs of repairs - something which campaigners dispute.
The spokesperson added: “The university has previously stated that it has set aside between £2.2 to £3.5 million for demolition. The campaign believes that negotiating a new ownership for the NGC could avoid much of this expenditure, potentially saving the university millions, while securing an important cultural and educational asset for Sunderland and the wider region.
“We are not simply asking the university to change its mind without offering an alternative. We believe there is a practical way forward which can be achieved by sitting around the table with campaigners, councillors, regional politicians and other civic organisations.
"With the university facing significant financial pressures, we have to ask why it is so determined to pursue demolition when an alternative could potentially save it millions and possibly reduce some of the staff cuts it is consulting on.
"Why the haste? Why not give us the opportunity to work towards a solution which benefits the university, the city and future generations? We have a detailed business plan, for a different operating model that we would like to share with our trusted partners."
A spokesperson for the University of Sunderland said: “The auction forms part of the university's process of clearing and securing the former National Glass Centre building following its closure, while ensuring that assets no longer required can be responsibly rehomed and reused where appropriate.
"The University is also gifting for free any specialist equipment currently in the building which Sunderland Culture would like to use in the planned Glassworks project or to establish interim glassmaking facilities for artists.
“The University continues to follow all planning rules and guidelines in relation to the site."