Sneak peek at Sunderland's newest shop as businesswoman receives wave of support

Sunderland’s newest shop is set to bring a kaleidoscope of colour and creative workshops to a revived historic spot.

Last week, city businesswoman Rebecca Sullivan announced she’s opening her first flower shop after spending the past seven years building her Under The Ivy floristry business.

She’s one of two established independent businesses who will be opening on the ground floor of the former tyre shop on the corner of Villiers Street and High Street West as part of a major restoration of the block of 200-year-old buildings in Sunniside.

Rebecca already has a strong following, with her business outgrowing her current garage base, but she said she’s been overwhelmed by the positive response to the shop so far.

“I hoped for a good response, but the feeling of love and support I’ve received has been so overwhelming,” she said.

“I think it’s a mixture of people being pleased to see a new shop open on the high street as people want shops, but also what’s been done to bring this stunning building back to life.”

Rebecca is well on with finishing her shop and she hopes to be open mid-November selling ready made bouquets, loose flowers, wreaths and more.

The new shop means she also has more space for her wedding flower consultations and to host workshops, with a Christmas wreath-making workshop already in the pipeline, as well as a calendar of seasonal events and creative collaborations.

Sunniside is an area that already means much to Rebecca who had her engagement party and wedding evening at nearby Pop Recs.

In a twist of fate, it was being at Pop Recs a year ago that she found out about what was happening with the corner building and it all seemed to fall in place.

“When I set up my business seven years ago, it was always the plan to have a shop, but nothing ever stood out,” said Rebecca.

“Nothing ever felt the right fit, but when I found out about this place I couldn’t stop thinking about it. What they have done to the building is absolutely beautiful. You can’t miss it now when you drive past.”

The Quakers have taken on the lease of the building, working alongside Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust, with additional funding by Historic England, to bring the corner block back to life.

Now called The Friends Meeting Place, the upstairs houses worship space for Sunderland Quakers, as well as offices and multi-use community space for hire.

Sympathetically-restored shopfronts on the ground floor, meanwhile, will house Under The Ivy and Space coffee shop next door, which is being brought to the city by men’s mental health organisation, Space, which is run by James Fildes.

“I’ve been in the shop every day recently and people have been so inquisitive about what’s happening ,” added Rebecca. “When people are looking through the window, I always open the door and chat to them. I love chatting so people can expect a lot of that in the shop.

“Everyone who knows me also knows how colourful I am so you can expect a lot of colour in the shop when it’s finished.”

Under The Ivy is also opposite George Clarke’s Home of Books, due to open in April next year, which will house a book shop, cafe, events space and boutique apartment.

“Everyone has already been so welcoming and it’s such an exciting time to be part of Sunniside,” said Rebecca.

“It’s great to have James and his Space coffee shop next door, Pop Recs and The Bridge and George Clarke’s Home of Books next year. There’s wonderful neighbours all around and I feel incredibly excited to be a small part of it.”