Sunderland 'leading the way' as Government confirms £25million for city centre boost

Sunderland has landed the biggest share as areas across the North East receive cash from the Future High Streets Fund, set up to support areas to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and help transform underused city and town centres into vibrant places to live, work, visit and shop.

The Government said the funding was part of ambitious plans will help protect and create thousands of jobs nationwide as part of its levelling-up agenda.

Minister for High Streets Kelly Tolhurst said: “The year ahead will be an exciting one for high streets across the North East, with Government investing across the region to boost its much-loved town centres, creating spaces communities can be proud of and delivering on our Plan for Jobs.

“Sunderland will lead the way, with £25million to help transform the city centre with a new state-of-the-art library, creative labs and local history centre."

She added: “We’re levelling up every part of the country to deliver opportunity and prosperity and I am proud that the North East will benefit from this important investment.

“This funding is part of wider support we’re providing to communities and businesses, to protect jobs, support the most vulnerable and ensure no one is left behind as we tackle the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic head on.”

A total of £55.9million has been confirmed for the North East, with up to a total of £98.4million on the cards for the region.

Sunderland City Council has already set out plans for what chiefs say will be the ‘UK’s best library’, The Culture House, among the exciting new buildings included in the new masterplan for Riverside Sunderland.

Standing four storeys high, The Culture House is planned for the site of The Corner Flag on the south side of Keel Square and will house libraries for adults, children and young people, as well as spaces for creativity and innovation.

The building is set for completion by 2023 and aims to boost footfall and spending in the city centre – with more than 600,000 visitors expected per year.

Traditional and digital resources will be available alongside flexible community and meeting spaces, a coffee shop and roof terraces overlooking Keel Square.

The main space in the building ‘The Forum’ will be a hive of activity where families will learn and play together.

Meanwhile, a local studies and archive centre at the site will complement the local studies library at the nearby Elephant Tea Rooms.

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