Sunderland

Sunderland is an industrial city and port in the English metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear.

Current Social and Economic Development

As with most post-industrial towns in the North of England, Sunderland continues to suffer from multi-generational long term unemployment. As a result the linked social factors of crime, poor health and teenage pregnancy are high in certain wards of the City. Sunderland is also victim to a degree of population exodus resulting in an ageing population. Sunderland has also suffered with the regional economic strategy promoting nearby Newcastle and Gateshead as services and leisure centres leading higher income employees to reside outside of the Sunderland area.

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In the past ten years, however, Sunderland's prospects have certainly improved. In addition to the giant Nissan factory, new service industries have moved in, creating thousands of jobs. Doxford International Business Park, in the south west of the city, has attracted a host of national and international companies such as Nike, EDF Energy, Barclays, Arriva, T-Mobile and Northern Rock. The former shipyard areas along the River Wear have also been transformed, with several high-profile developments close to the watery artery of the city.

Related Topics:
Nike - EDF Energy - Barclays - Arriva - T-Mobile - Northern Rock

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St Peter's Campus of the University of Sunderland; North Haven, an executive housing and marina development on the former North Dock at Roker; the National Glass Centre, by St Peter's Church; the Stadium of Light, England's largest new-built football ground for over 50 years, and the 48,000-capacity home of Sunderland A.F.C.; Hylton Riverside Retail Park, a large shopping outlet centre at Castletown.

Related Topics:
University of Sunderland - Stadium of Light - Sunderland A.F.C.

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Sunderland Corporation's massive post-war housing estate developments, such as Pennywell, Grindon, Red House, Hylton Castle, Thorney Close and Town End Farm, together with earlier developments, have all passed into the ownership of Sunderland Housing Group This a private company, and a Registered Social Landlord. Since the housing stock transfer in 2000, there have been considerable improvements to the quality of social housing in the city. The tower blocks at Gilley Law and in Hendon and the East End have been transformed, and the vast estates are also improving, although the plans have not met with universal praise.

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The central business district of Sunderland has also been subject to a recent flurry of redevelopment and improvement. The Bridges shopping centre was extended towards Crowtree Road and the former Central Bus Station, attracting new stores such as Gap, Debenhams, Ottakar's, H&M, HMV, TK Maxx and Beaverbrooks. It reopened, twice the size, in 2002. A multi-million pound transport interchange at Park Lane was opened in May 1999. It is the busiest bus and coach station in Britain after Victoria Coach Station in Central London, and has won several awards for innovative design.

Related Topics:
Gap - Debenhams - Ottakar's - H&M - HMV - TK Maxx - Victoria Coach Station - London

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The Tyne and Wear Metro system, for a long time confined to Tyneside, introduced services from Pelaw to the southern terminus at South Hylton. The trains run at a peak of eight per hour. New stations on the line were opened at Fellgate, Brockley Whins, East Boldon, Seaburn, Stadium of Light (Portobello Lane), St Peter's, Sunderland Central, Park Lane, University (Chester Road), Millfield, Pallion and South Hylton. The service has provided Wearsiders with easy access to national rail services from Newcastle Central station, and international destinations via Newcastle Airport and the ferry terminal at North Shields.

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The Sunderland Empire reopened in December 2004 following a major redevelopment allowing it to stage West End shows.

Related Topics:
Sunderland Empire - December - 2004 - West End

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