We want to bring new life to a Sunderland community centre - but our plans have been stopped

Active Families North East submitted proposals to transform Southwick Community Centre, which has been empty for more than a year, into a cafe, soft play and wellness space and had even secured £500,000 to create the new space.

However, despite being the highest-scoring bidder for the lease, their plans have been put on hold by Sunderland City Council, who say they are reviewing their community asset policy.

Active Families already runs a number of successful community wellness and fitness groups across the North East and the group has previously won the Business In The Community Award at the 2022 Sunderland Business Excellence Awards.

Director, Kelly Brougham, says they had been excited about bringing their wellness provision to Southwick and are hugely disappointed by Sunderland City Council’s decision.

The not-for-profit community organisation submitted a Freedom of Information request in regards to the lease and say they believe the decision was put on hold due to requests for new stipulations on the lease, which meant only Southwick-based organisations could apply.

However, Sunderland City Council maintains that as no lease had yet been entered into, all discussions were subject to change.

Kelly said: “This has been an incredibly disappointing and disheartening process.”

A petition has been launched by Active Families North East to garner support for their plans, which has so far been signed by more than 300 people https://www.change.org/p/sign-share-stand-with-southwick

Amy Swan, Director of Active Families North East, said: “The actions of the Council have put us through one of the most challenging periods we’ve faced as an organisation, and there have been so many points where we've thought about walking away.

“But then we think about the older residents sitting at home alone. The families who need affordable activities. The community that deserves better. We don’t want to walk away from them, and we know we can make a difference in Southwick.”

A spokesperson from Sunderland City Council said: “Sunderland City Council is aware of concerns raised by Active Families in relation to the potential letting of Southwick Community Centre.

“The council would like to clarify that while a procurement process was undertaken for the lease of the property, and Active Families was identified as the highest-scoring bidder at evaluation stage, all discussions were expressly subject to contract.

“No lease has been entered into, and no legally binding agreement has been completed.

“Following the conclusion of the evaluation process, several representations were received regarding the council’s wider approach to community asset transfers.

“In light of these representations, the council has taken the decision to place the proposed letting on hold while it undertakes a review of its Community Asset Policy.

“It is important to emphasise that this pause is part of a broader policy review, and the council has a responsibility to ensure that its policies relating to community assets are clear, consistent, and reflective of community priorities across the city.

“We acknowledge that Active Families has invested time and resources into the tender process, and we appreciate the work undertaken by all organisations that expressed an interest in the building.

“However, until a formal agreement is completed, the council must retain the ability to review its position in line with emerging policy considerations.

“We will update Active Families once the policy review has concluded.”