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Positive signs – the Bridges centre director Karen Eve says developments in Sunderland city centre are having a positive impact .
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Investment in Sunderland has positive effect at Bridges
The widespread investment in Sunderland is helping to secure the future of leading retails brands in the city , according to a shopping centre boss .
Karen Eve , centre director at the Bridges , believes the transformation and developments in the city is having a positive knock-on effect .
And she has revealed that a number of long term tenancy agreements with retailers have recently been agreed - securing their presence in the centre for the future .
The centre director said a number of retailers had relocated to other units “ which are more suitable for their needs ” which had led to securing long term tenancies .
“ By doing so we have secured the commitment from major high street names , ensuring they will trade with us for years to come ,” said Karen .
New partnership unlocks homes and job opportunities
At the end of 2022 Clintons , HMV and Starbucks all moved to new units at the Bridges and this week it was confirmed that the old Disney Store unit and the former HMV unit will now be occupied by New Look , which will be beginning its refit with a view to be open by Easter .
“ Investment made by the landlord of the Bridges amounts to £ 2.15m – a really significant amount ,” said the director .
“ This was supported by further investments from our retailers as part of their move .
“ Sunderland is receiving a great deal of positive attention and this is because of the ambitious and exciting developments that are taking place here .”
Karen added that a great deal of work was taking place “ behind the scenes ” to secure new retailers for the centre .
PROJECT ’ S RECOGNITION A bespoke residential project in Durham has been shortlisted for a RIBA North-East regional award .
The residential architecture extension project – located in Gilesgate and led by Sunderland-based Building Design Northern ( BDN ) – has been shortlisted for the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects ( RIBA ) award at the annual ceremony , which celebrates projects for their regional importance as a piece of architecture .
ADVENTURE GOES SOCIAL A leading social media agency is set to play an integral role in the marketing of a £ 15.5m children ’ s adventure attraction based in The Alnwick Garden .
The new addition to The Alnwick Garden , which is based just behind the iconic Treehouse Restaurant , aims to bring the magic of Christmas all year round and attract 280,000 visitors to Northumberland .
Bowburn-based The Social Co . has been appointed to deliver a range of activity to launch the project this year .
WEDDING VENUE AWARD A boutique Durham country house hotel has won a top wedding award after being voted one of the best places in the county to get hitched .
Bowburn Hall Hotel , on the outskirts of the city , saw off competition from across Durham to win the wedding venue category at the Hitched Wedding Awards 2023 .
And the win is an extra special accolade for the venue as the votes were cast by happy couples who had already tied the knot there .
The keys to 16 new properties have been handed over , supporting more Sunderland residents to access affordable housing in the city .
Sunderland City Council has taken possession of an attractive new site at Old Mill Road , Southwick , providing muchneeded new homes for residents in an area of high-demand .
Five new three-bedroom family homes and 11 two-bed bungalows for older people , are set to welcome their first residents , with the properties now part of the council ’ s growing housing stock , designed to deliver good-quality , affordable accommodation for rent .
The scheme , which has been developed by Sunderland-based MCC Homes , not only adds much-needed house-types to the city market , but has also helped sustain and create 25 jobs for local people during its development .
Councillor Kevin Johnston , Dynamic City portfolio holder at Sunderland City Council , said : “ This site is a real win-win .
“ Not only has working with MCC Homes accelerated the delivery of 16 new homes in a well-established residential area , but it has allowed us to back a business that is creating jobs and opportunities for local people and suppliers , too .”
COUNCIL AWARD Durham city ’ s newest accommodation offering has brought together style , sophistication – and a touch of divine intervention .
The Funky Monk serviced apartments have just opened their doors at Victoria Terrace , offering visitors to the historic city the opportunity to stay in lavish surroundings .
The development has been created by Ramside Estates – which also owns Ramside Hall Hotel , Golf and Spa , Hardwick Hall Hotel and Bowburn Hall Hotel – and who have transformed the former flats .
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