Plans to transform High Street West take step forward

New plans to redevelop High Street West are moving forward, with the acquisition of an empty building to pave the way for the area's further transformation.

Sunderland City Council has stepped in to purchase 68-71 High Street West, formerly home to Mothercare and Argos' stores in the city, as it seeks to regenerate and revitalise the High Street, in line with its Riverside Sunderland masterplan. 

The local authority will appoint a design team to work up exciting new proposals that will see the High Street given a new lease of life as a Central Business District that will connect the transforming former Vaux site with the retail heart of the city centre. 

Starting in 2025, development of modern new office space within the Central Business District will help to redefine the High Street and compliment the opportunities provided by The Beam, City Hall, The Yard and Maker & Faber, spaces that are attracting businesses to the heart of the city. The new development will feature a mix of retail, food and drink and leisure businesses.

The ambition for Riverside Sunderland is to create 10,000 new jobs and develop 1,000 high quality new homes for 2,500 residents attracting increased footfall into the city centre and creating a vibrant leisure and retail offer.

The redevelopment of the former Mothercare and Argos site will act as a catalyst for further investment and regeneration of the High Street, with plans also taking shape for a revamp of Sunniside Leisure - the cluster of leisure units surrounding the former Empire Cinema - which is set to be taken over by Omniplex. 

Councillor Kevin Johnston, Portfolio Holder for Dynamic City at Sunderland City Council, said: "The north side of High Street West was identified within the Riverside Sunderland Masterplan as offering a significant opportunity to connect the emerging new Central Business District on the Vaux site with the retail core of the city on High Street West and beyond.

"The buildings will be designed to offer active frontages to both High Street West and St Mary's Boulevard, improving the first impression of the city centre on one its key approaches and increasing footfall along High Street West to support our existing retail businesses as well as attracting new businesses to locate here.

"These are progressive, ambitious plans that we're moving forward with - a demonstrable intervention to ensure we drive the development of the city centre and we look forward to sharing our plans with residents of the city."

Law firm Walker Morris acted for Watling Real Estate and Sunderland City Council was advised by its in-house legal team.