From Sunderland AFC winning promotion to the Premier League, ambitious regeneration developing at pace across the city centre and beyond, a new pedestrian footbridge linking Riverside Sunderland due to open imminently, and the rise of the retail and tourism economies (foundations for the launch of Sunderland’s tourism strategy), to the unveiling of the North East Combined Authority’s £14bn regional investment opportunity prospectus, the potential to create an advanced manufacturing powerhouse cluster from the government’s proposed £86bn investment plan, and a £1.85bn funding deal which includes £900m to build the first new Tyne and Wear Metro line in 30 years out to Washington, there is a real sense that a major step change has and is continuing to happen.
Strong commitment, determination and a clear vision are driving both the city and region forward with momentum and a strong sense of optimism. This is true for the local business community too with many independent companies launching or expanding, and high-quality venues like Sheepfolds Stables, now award winning, seeing continued growth and success. This in turn is creating more opportunities to boost the local economy through collaborative partnerships, new markets and new audiences.
…and it is the ‘knitting together’ of this collective output and bigger picture agenda, from bottom up to top down (and vice versa), that will see the local business community play a key role and help the North East become a real catalyst for growth on a national level.
The local food and drink, hospitality and tourism sectors are examples where Sunderland has seen significant positive change.
Last year the café, bar and restaurant scene accounted for more than 33% of retail sales[1] while more recent figures showed an increase in the number of overnight visitors to the city reaching 840,000[2]. Unique and discerning new venues including Sheepfolds Stables opened to huge acclaim in 2024 with others due to open this year too. Such figures are predicted to rise again given SAFC’s return to the Premier League and a dedicated seafront BID proposed.
Furthermore, the North East visitor economy is now estimated to be worth circa £6.6bn to the region as a whole with growth in overnight visits reported across all seven local authority areas. The North East Combined Authority also has ambitions to raise this value further to £10bn by 2034.
Rick Marsden, managing director of BDN, developers of Sheepfolds Stables, commented, “Promotion to the Premier League is great news, not only for the club but for the city, its people, and the local and regional business community too. There is a very positive spotlight shining on Wearside at the moment, whether it be through football or the many developments, ongoing regeneration and investments being made across the city, and Sheepfolds Stables is playing (and will continue to play) a significant part in that.
“There is real momentum now to keep driving forward change for good, and as a popular social and hospitality venue, we’re very much providing a platform that supports and creates even more opportunities for growth to the benefit of local people, artists and businesses. Not only that, we are looking at ways which we can engage further with the growing visitor economy, creating an experience that not only promotes and brings our heritage and history to the fore, but also embraces who and where we are, and what we can offer to wider audiences and communities. With exciting new developments happening all around us too, Sheepfolds Stables is a great example of how an independent venue can really be at the heart of activities and create opportunities to the benefit of all.
“SAFC’s promotion, undoubtedly, will shine an even greater spotlight on the city and see thousands of new people flocking to Wearside and the North East every other week. It’s certainly a game-changer in more ways than one as many will be coming here for the first time. Our local businesses can certainly tap into this and make Sunderland a destination that people return to time and time again, so it’s great to see.”
[1] Sunderland BID
[2] Destination North East England
