Fawcett Street’s history can be traced all the way back to the early 1800s when, after the opening of Wearmouth Bridge, the Bridge Commissioners paid the Fawcett family £500 to allow them to build a road over their land to connect to the bridge.
It has gone on to have a mixed bag of fortunes over the centuries, losing buildings like the old Sunderland Town Hall and, more recently, with the closure of stores like Wilko’s and the relocation of the main library to a room at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens.
However, in recent months there’s been a wave of openings in empty units. Here’s some of the new additions to check out:
1. The Community Shop
Numbers 30-32, Fawcett Street, will soon house The Community Shop. Work has started on transforming the former council customer services centre next to Wetherspoons, which has been empty for some time. Part of Company Shop Group and the UK’s first social supermarket, the new store will open in Fawcett Street in March this year and is being funded by Ocado Retail. The new store will be the 16th in the pioneering social enterprise network, which redistributes surplus products and aims to help communities experiencing social inequality. | LDRS
2. Pepe's, corner of Fawcett Street and High Street West
The fit out of Pepe's is forging ahead. The site sits in the shadow of the landmark Mackie's Corner and was previously occupied by gaming lounge and arcade Harry's Game Shack, however, back in summer, 2024, the business announced its decision to close. Since then, works have been undertaken to improve the shop frontages and make them more in keeping with the sympathetic restoration works which have taken place on Mackie’s Corner and Elephant Tea Rooms. Part of a national franchise, there’s more than 200 branches of Pepe’s Piri Piri across the country. An announcement on when the chicken shop will open is expected soon. | Sunderland Echo
3. Thrown Together Pottery Studio
Thrown Together Pottery Studio has opened upstairs at 27 Fawcett Street. People can buy original pieces, commission works or get hands on in workshops, events, or collaborative projects. | Stock photo
4. The Art Cafe, former Havershams
Artist Su Devine is bringing a dedicated Art Cafe to Fawcett Street in the former Havershams tea room opposite the old Wilko's. It will feature a cafe at the front of the site where people can enjoy cakes, coffee, soups and more, as well as pull out tables where they can draw. Meanwhile, the back of the site will house workshop space, with pottery wheels, easels and much more. Su hopes to have the cafe side of the business open by Easter. | Sunderland Echo