Sunderland hits the jackpot with £5m leisure venue
Dozens of new jobs are set to be created in Sunderland after plans were revealed for a major new £5 million bingo and entertainment venue in the city centre.
The new development at The Bridges Shopping Centre is expected to bring fresh investment into the city centre and strengthen its growing leisure and nightlife offering.
It will be operated by Club 3000 Bingo and set to open early next year, subject to bingo licensing being issued.
The development is set to create around 50 jobs and add fresh footfall to Sunderland city centre, with work set to begin in the coming months.
It will be the company’s 25th club across the UK and its second in the North East, alongside its existing Peterlee venue.
Brian Fraser, founder of Club 3000 Bingo, said: “Sunderland is a brilliant city and we’re excited to be bringing this major new venue to the heart of it.
“This will be much more than a bingo club – we want it to become a real entertainment destination for the local community.
“There’s huge affection for bingo across the North East and we believe this venue will be something special.”
He added the venue promises big cash prizes, cutting-edge technology and a modern twist on the traditional bingo hall experience.
The multi-million-pound investment is the latest boost for Sunderland city centre as new businesses continue to back the city’s growing retail and leisure offer.
Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland BID, welcomed the news, saying the creation of a new leisure venue in the city will hopefully tempt more people in.
She added: “It’s always exciting to hear about new major investment in the city centre and initiatives which are bound to drive footfall and contribute to the ongoing regeneration.
"The creation of jobs will also have a knock-on effect for the city centre as a whole, and hopefully will lead to more people spending time and money in the centre.”