Boom - Footfall has increased by more than 50 per cent since the Bridges reopened .
“ We ’ re working to create vibrancy in Sunderland , promoting it as a great place to live , work , study , do business and socialise ."
“ But when people come out now they want a more rounded visitor experience - culture , shows , food and drink - so we would also consider leisure options .”
That ’ s an intriguing final thought - so is the future of the former Debenhams store to be something like The Gate in Newcastle ? A centre for food and drink and entertainment ? Or even like London ’ s Trocadero - a giant , bells and whistles pleasure-leisure venue ?
Karen would love to tell but she can ’ t - there are a lot of non-disclosure agreements in her line of work .
“ We are seeking opportunities for the Debenhams site and there are exciting plans being discussed ,” she says . “ We hope to be able to deliver an update next year .
“ In the Bridges generally , we cannot build upwards but expansion in certain areas could be a possibility .
“ We often consider tenant relocations to find their perfect location as the centre evolves , so we will probably see a few of our businesses moving internally next year .”
What about the footprint of the former Crowtree Leisure Centre - now reduced to grassland and the closed ice rink which towers over the western side of the Bridges ?
“ Sunderland Council owns this land so there ’ s not much I can legally say as we are bound by confidentiality agreements ,” says Karen .
“ However , it is in the public domain that the council was awarded £ 25m from central government to invest in city improvements .
" It is proposed that part of this funding will be invested in developing this site .
“ Change is coming and it is going to be a positive change .
“ Sunderland is undergoing the most significant programme of regeneration in decades and it is a privilege to be working alongside so many great people leading on exciting developments .
“ There are already pockets of really attractive vibrant places in the city along with projects currently being built .
“ I ’ m looking forward to the visitor experience extending from one attractive place to another as these pockets join up , including everything from the revamped railway station to the grand opening of the City Hall , Culture House and much more .
“ We want the visitor experience to be seamless , not for Sunderland to feel ‘ bitty ’.”
The Bridges has been the centre of gravity for Sunderland shopping since Princess Anne opened it in 1988 . Its near 600,000 sq ft of retail space and two car parks offering 900 spaces is the counterbalance to the pull of the MetroCentre in Gateshead and Eldon Square in Newcastle .
Owned by AEW Europe , who bought it from Land Securities for £ 139m in 2014 , it is managed by Montagu Evans and responsibility for its day-to-day running comes down to Karen who concedes that her working brief could hardly be more wide-ranging .
“ I ’ m responsible for the overall running of the centre which includes developing relationships with city stakeholders , creating and delivering our service charge budget , driving income , overseeing our contracts , leading and motivating staff , letting vacant spaces ,
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