Plans could see fire-hit former furniture store in Sunderland given new life and create 13 jobs

Earlier this month, a planning application was lodged with Sunderland City Council to redevelop the former Home Living store in the Ryhope ward.

The site, off Salterfen Road, is based in the heart of one of Wearside’s out of town retail districts, with close links to the A19.

In 2019, the retail complex hit the headlines after a blaze at the Home Living unit wrecked much of the interior.

The blaze left a large section of glass at the front of the building shattered, part of the showroom wrecked and the business damaged by smoke, with a mezzanine area used as storage also affected.

Traces of the retail use have since been removed, with the wider site gated shut and the building boarded up.

After remaining vacant for some time, new plans could give the building a new lease of life.

If proposals are given the go-ahead by Sunderland City Council, the building would be fitted out as a builders merchants, with a showroom alongside the development of external areas to increase yard space for stock.

The works would also see the installation of a new ‘goods in’ door and a mezzanine structure installed for ‘warehouse storage purposes only.’

The plans also hope to see the creation of 46 car parking bays, two disability spaces, six cycle spaces and two ‘car charging points’ are proposed across the wider site.

Builders merchants typically supply products to the building trade and general public.

While no operator has been named for the Ryhope site in planning documents, the development could bring a major jobs boost to the area.

According to the planning application, 11 full-time jobs and two part-time roles are expected to be created.

Comments on the application can be made up until May 18 by writing to the council or visiting its online portal.

City planners are expected to rule on the change of use application by the end of June.

For more information or to follow the progress of the plans, visit online-applications.sunderland.gov.uk/online-applications and search planning reference: 21/00851/FUL