Greggs to open at new £15m Sunderland development on well-known site

Greggs on the go is heading to a major new commercial development.

Work is ongoing to create Eastgate Point, a £15m project of 19 industrial and commercial units across nine buildings.

The site off Commercial Road is well known for its time as the Littlewoods call centre and warehouse, as well as being a depot for the Brian Mills company, but it had stood empty since 2010.

The development is being delivered by Sunderland-based Building Design Northern (BDN) in partnership with Hewitson Group, with BDN headquarters and Gentoo already announced for the site.

Now, it’s been announced that Greggs will occupy a unit, aimed at people who work at Eastgate Point, as well as passersby.

Gillian Long, Retail Operations Director for Greggs, said: “We’re excited to be opening a new drive-to location in Sunderland Eastgate Point which will bring 12 new jobs to the local area, as well as providing customers with a modern, convenient new place to experience their Greggs favourites.”

Eastgate Point will deliver 125,000 sq ft of new commercial accommodation, supporting more than 350 jobs.

Richard Marsden, managing director of BDN, said: “Securing Greggs is fantastic news for Eastgate Point and another real vote of confidence in this development, which is rapidly transforming the skyline on the approach to Sunderland city centre.

“From the outset, our ambition was for Eastgate Point to become a thriving business destination, providing amenities that make it an attractive and convenient place to work. Having Greggs on board will add another dimension to the development, while also providing a really accessible food and coffee offer for the surrounding community and people travelling through the area.

“With Gentoo already committed, BDN relocating its own headquarters here and further occupier announcements to come, there is a real sense of momentum building around Eastgate Point and we’re looking forward to sharing more soon as we agree pre-completion lettings with a range of businesses.”

Andrew Finnigan, operations director at Hewitson Group, said: “Greggs is a fantastic addition to Eastgate Point and exactly the kind of occupier that will help us create a vibrant, well-served commercial destination.

“Work is advancing rapidly, and seeing what was once a barren brownfield site transformed into a contemporary scheme with well-known brands locating here is brilliant.”

Constructed by Hewitson Construction, with BDN providing architecture, structural engineering, civil engineering and project management services, Eastgate Point is the latest Sunderland scheme BDN has delivered.

Alongside its commercial work, the company has become closely associated with the city’s ongoing transformation, delivering landmark projects including the award-winning Sheepfolds Stables development and the transformation of the Old Simpson Street School.