Ill-fated Sunderland Morrisons store to become car dealership

Plans to transform a former Sunderland supermarket into a car dealership have been given the go-ahead.
The closed Morrisons store in Castle View, as it looks todayThe closed Morrisons store in Castle View, as it looks today
The closed Morrisons store in Castle View, as it looks today

Morrisons’ Castletown store, off Castle View, was axed as part of a closure programme after the firm reported a slump in profits in 2015 and the site has remained vacant since.

The new Morrisons store in  Castle View, Castletown, Sunderland shortly after opening in 2011.The new Morrisons store in  Castle View, Castletown, Sunderland shortly after opening in 2011.
The new Morrisons store in Castle View, Castletown, Sunderland shortly after opening in 2011.
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Now, the site is set for a major makeover after a planning bid was given the green light by Sunderland City Council.

And the change of use proposals, from car dealership firm SG Petch, could create up to 15 full-time jobs.

SG Petch has a portfolio of dealerships including sites in Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough, Richmond and York.

According to a Design and Access Statement (DoA), they will use the Sunderland site for the sale of vehicles / vehicle parts and repairs.

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The revamp will also include some demolition work, building extensions and upgrades to the interior space.

The DoA statement reads: “This application has considered the adjacent buildings which include industrial, residential, motor dealerships and retail

“It is considered that this application will seek to improve the existing landscape to create a sympathetic design which is in keeping with the materials and scale of the surrounding area of Wessington Way, Sunderland.”

Sunderland City Council approved the plans on Thursday, June 13 subject to several conditions.

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These include works starting within three years and limits around times construction work can take place.

Around half of the spaces on site will be used for display parking with more than 40 spaces available for customers.

Opening hours will include 8am-7pm, Monday to Friday, 8am-5.30pm on Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sunday.

Following a council request, applicants also have to provide details of a traffic calming scheme.

This aims to “prevent conflict” between vehicles and pedestrians both on site and around the east access.