New £5.7m Sunderland car showroom to be demolished - before it's even opened

Construction work was suspended on Wearside Audi’s planned new dealership in Newcastle Road last summer.

The 12-car 30,000 square foot development had been due for completion in the autumn and was intended to feature a roof top car park, a 16 bay workshop with advanced diagnostic technology and the latest customer service facilities.

Now contractors have moved in to begin demolition and a replacement building is being planned.

A spokesman for Wearside Audi confirmed building work at the site had stopped in May after concerns over the development.

“This was to allow the contractor time to review elements of the design work and structure,” he said.

“The contractor has now completed their review and associated design work amendments and recommenced works.

“The structure that has been erected is presently being dismantled and immediately following this work contractors will commence work on the development.

“In the meantime, Wearside Audi will continue to operate from their popular site on the grounds of the Stadium of Light.”

A Sunderland City Council said the authority had been informed of the situation at the showroom site but had not been formally involved in the decision to demolish the partially-built structure.

“The city council has been made aware of the situation and construction issues are being handled by the developer’s private building inspector.