Concerns grow for future of Sunderland's National Glass Centre as demolition moves a step closer

The University has stated on a number of occasions that its decision to close the current glass centre is due to spiralling costs of the building.

In an open letter to the city’s residents the university’s vice-chancellor and chief executive Sir David Bell said: “We could never justify multi-millions of pounds of new expenditure on the National Glass Centre given that the bulk of the University’s income comes from student tuition fees and, as such, our monies must be focused on our core student-facing priorities of teaching and research.”

In the latest development, the University contacted the Save the National Glass Centre Campaign group informing them that they have submitted a pre-application for demolition and have already instructed consultants to carry out surveys.

A spokesman for the University of Sunderland said: "The University this week submitted a pre-application inquiry to Sunderland City Council’s planning department as part of the next steps in the planned demolition of the National Glass Centre (NGC) building.

"In addition, and to inform the eventual demolition of the building, the University has engaged specialist consultants to carry out essential surveys. These surveys will be conducted on-site over the coming months, and it was important that everyone associated with the NGC knew that this work was taking place.

"Since the announcement about the closure of the NGC building was made in early 2023, the University has been, and continues to be, fully transparent about the reasons for its decision, including by keeping the NGC campaign group informed about developments.

“While the timeline for demolition of the building is yet to be fully determined, the University will continue to provide updates as plans move forward.”

In the letter to the campaign group, the university’s Chief Operating Officer, Andrea Walters, added: “Although the costs associated with demolition and site landscaping will exceed the potential sale value of the land, the University will ensure that this work is conducted properly and safely before considering subsequent actions. While the timeline for demolition is yet to be fully determined, we will keep you updated as our plans proceed.

“I understand that this news will be disappointing for the Campaign Group. However, as we have explained from the beginning, the University cannot justify spending several millions of pounds more on capital investment and the ongoing operating costs of the NGC. Most of our funding comes from student tuition fees, which must be allocated to essential student-focused facilities and activities.

“Whilst we appreciate the strength of feeling in some quarters about protecting and preserving the NGC, it must be said that, to date, no individual or organisation has come forward to offer any financial support towards refurbishing or saving the building at the scale that would be necessary.”

The development has caused obvious concerns for those trying to save the centre.

A spokesperson for the Save the National Glass Centre Campaign group said: “We have today raised serious concerns over the future of glassmaking in Sunderland, following the University of Sunderland’s letter to the campaign group announcing that it is initiating steps toward the demolition of the National Glass Centre (NGC) — despite having no confirmed replacement and despite the demolition costing more than the land is worth.

“We feel this is premature, unreasonable, and contrary to the public interest.”

A new Glass Centre is currently proposed to be developed at the old Peter Smith Antiques building in Sunniside, but the campaign group say this is “far from guaranteed”.

Campaigners also feel the move is “premature” after a public meeting was held at City Hall last month (November) in which the campaign group raised the proposal that the National Glass Centre could become part of the National Trust’s Safe Harbour Scheme.

The scheme is a policy designed to protect public heritage assets that are at risk of being sold off quickly. The scheme creates a temporary holding period for these assets, providing a "safe harbour" for them to allow communities time to develop sustainable management plans for public benefit before a sale is finalised.

Responding to the proposal at the meeting, the City Council’s leader, Councillor Michael Mordey, said he was “really interested in” exploring the potential Safe Harbour option involving the National Trust for the NGC.

He added: “If there is an organisation like the National Trust willing to come in and give the National Glass Centre some breathing space… we should explore that.

“I’m more than happy to support that and try and get that off the ground.”

The NGC building is due to close to the public on July 31, 2026.