About Sunderland
From its earliest foundations this great City has grown and prospered on the banks of the River Wear. It's history and culture were formed by its connection to the sea, the rich geology of the area and by the industry and endeavour of its people. Like most UK cities in the latter part of the twentieth century, Sunderland suffered the effects of the decline of heavy industry. It's traditional shipbuilding and coal mining industries largely died out in the 1980's, with the loss of over 30,000 jobs. With a population of over 290,000, spread across an area of 137 km2, Sunderland boasts of being the largest City on the eastern flank of the UK, north of Leeds and south of Edinburgh.
Sunderland was awarded City status by the Crown in 1992, marking the 40th Anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. The city's history and its importance as a centre of industry can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon times when its monastic foundation, exploiting the mineral wealth of the area, developed one of Europe's first centres of glass making. Sunderland's subsequent growth focused on the coal and ship building industries. The city is currently one of the largest automotive manufacturing centres in Europe, with further significant employment provided in the call centre industry.
Sunderland arc and its partners are charged with the task of improving Sunderland's economy, infrastructure and quality of life and the creation of a thriving city centre.
Did you know...
- Sunderland is the biggest city in the North East of England, having the largest population of any centre between Leeds and Edinburgh.
- Sunderland has a population of 280,600 (63% being of working age). The City is located at the heart of a region that is home to more than 2.5 million people.
- Sunderland is one of the UK's most competitive business locations. It is home to a host of world-class companies, such as Nissan, Rolls-Royce, Barclays, T-Mobile and EDF Energy.
- From 2002-2007, the City has attracted more than 9,000 new jobs and investment totalling £1.5 billion.
- In 2006 the University of Sunderland was named ‘best English university for student experience’ (The Times) and since 2001 has held the title of ‘best new university in England for research’ (The Times).
- The City of Sunderland College has 15,000 students. Its Computer Networking Academy hosts the prestigious Microsoft Regional Centre. It is also home to the Cisco Networking Academy.
- Businesses locating in Sunderland enjoy excellent road, rail, air and sea links. The A1(M) and A19 provide road access to the rest of the UK. Sunderland now has a direct rail link to the nation's capital. The North East region has two international airports (Newcastle and Durham-Tees Valley), with regular flights to London and Europe. The region's ports provide access to Europe and the rest of the world. The Tyne & Wear Metro is the backbone of an integrated public transport network, with interchange facilities at Sunderland and other key locations.
- In March 2007 Sunderland was chosen from a shortlist of 10 towns and cities to scoop the top prize in the Communities and Local Government's Digital Challenge competition, winning a £3m grant to improve the lives of vulnerable and excluded people through technology.
For more information visit www.investinsunderland.co.uk
Culture
Sunderland is home to some of the most visited cultural attractions in the country:
- Sunderland boasts stunning, award-winning beaches, parks and nature reserves, which also play host to a number of popular, annual outdoor events including the Sunderland Airshow – the largest in Europe – and the International Friendship and Kite Festival, which hosts a spectacular programme of national and international artists from all over the world.
- Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is home to 2,000 of the world's most exotic flowers, plants and trees and was voted Britain’s top tourism attraction outside London at the Excellence for England Awards 2004.
- The Anglo-Saxon church of St Peter's at Monkwearmouth is one of the UK's first stone built churches, built in 674AD. Together with its twin monastery, St Paul's in Jarrow, St Peter's has been short-listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Fulwell Mill in Sunderland is the only working windmill in North East England. Built in 1808 it was recently restored and now features a purpose-built visitor centre.
- Opened in 1907, the Sunderland Empire is the North East's largest theatre. Following a £4.5million refurbishment in 2005, the Empire is now the only theatre between Manchester and Edinburgh capable of staging large West End productions. Nearby is also the critically acclaimed Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and one of the oldest municipal parks in the North East, Mowbray Park.
For more information visit www.visitsunderland.com
City Centre
Bounded by the inner ring road and well served by public transport, particularly the Metro System, Sunderland City Centre is a major focus for retail, culture, art, leisure and education.
The recent expansion of the Bridges Shopping Centre has greatly enhanced retail provision and there are plans to create a series of high quality public spaces and raise the profile of the city through public realm improvements to support further cultural, leisure and retail development. A citywide artwork and lighting strategy supports the public realm improvements.
Sunderland has a broad range of cultural and visitor attractions, catering for a variety of interests. The City’s premier visitor attraction is the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens (352,306 visitors in 2002) which is complemented by further cultural improvements including a £4m redevelopment of the Sunderland Empire, making it one of the country’s leading theatres. It is now the only theatre between Manchester and Edinburgh capable of hosting top West End shows such as the Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables. Developer interest in the City Centre is growing steadily, with a 74% increase in planning applications across the City since the Millennium.
University of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland's continuing success in attracting students and serving as a focus of research is crucial to the economy of Sunderland. The rationalisation of the University's accommodation throughout the city will, over time, free up land within its boundaries to create development opportunities on key sites. In addition to working in partnership with the University on the redevelopment of its own sites, Sunderland arc proposes involving the University in other important initiatives, particularly the redevelopment of Stadium Park and Sheepfolds, where there is an opportunity for the University to be a key partner in the emerging proposals for a 'Sports Village'.
For more information visit www.sunderland.ac.uk