Work starts on George Clarke's big plans for bookshop and more in historic Sunderland building

Work is forging ahead on George Clarke’s big plans for an historic building in Sunniside.

Last year, the Washington-born TV presenter and architect announced plans to bring a bookshop and more to his home city, of which he’s a proud ambassador.

Plans for George’s ‘Home of Books’ were given the green light in December, to bring a new bookshop, café, flexible event space and boutique apartment to Sunderland.

Now, the scaffolding is going up on the development at 176 High Street West, next door to Sonny’s and Pop Recs.

George himself posted about the development on Instagram, saying: “Always good to see the scaffolding going up when we restore and convert an historic building. We’ve got the dream team on this one.”

The plans are to convert the ground floor of the Grade II-listed building into a cultural bookshop, café and flexible event space described as a ‘community living room.’

Meanwhile, the upper floors are set to be transformed into an apartment that would be used by the presenter and his family, as well as being marketed as boutique accommodation for short stays when he isn’t in town.

The apartment will be themed around the industries which built Sunderland including shipbuilding, coalmining and stained-glass work, paying homage to George’s home city.

The planning application noted that the project is inspired by George Clarke’s love for books and will bring together his passions for restoration architecture as well as giving him the opportunity to return home and spend more time in Sunderland.

George is also an investor in the transformation of the old weather shelter in Roker into the new Elephant Rock cafe and bar.

Sunniside is undergoing a wave of change, including a new housing development and an influx of new businesses.

Opposite George’s project, work is forging ahead on the old Tyre Shop on Villiers Street.

Led by the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust, this regeneration has been supported by funding from Historic England, who have committed £923,208 along with significant investment from the Quakers, who have taken on the lease of the building, which will now be called The Friends Meeting Place.

As well as being a meeting place for The Quakers, the upstairs of the building will also be a community hub, a mixed use space for a host of groups.

Downstairs, shopfronts are being sympathetically restored and talks are at an advanced stage with two established Sunderland businesses who will open in the ground floor units.

It’s anticipated The Friends Meeting Place building works will finish mid-August this year, with the building open to the public early September.

Other new additions to Sunniside in recent weeks alone include the new On the Sunniside of the Street mural, Thrive play cafe in Norfolk Street and Chapter 13 bookstore and tea room in Frederick Street.