Welcome to the first official newsletter from Sunderland City Centre Management.

This newsletter has been created exclusively to keep you up-to-date on the stories and issues that are affecting the local business community and will be coming to you quarterly from now on.

This issue we’re taking a look at the leisure sector, with details of how you could benefit from this year’s Sunderland Live programme, an update on the 2009 Best Bar None Awards and more information about how we’re making the city safer, thanks to a city centre trial.

There’s also a chance for you to get involved in supporting the local community, with details about a number of the city’s current charity appeals. We know you’re busy, so we’ll try to keep it short, but if you want any more details or would like to know how you can get your news mentioned, visit www.sunderlandcitycentre.co.uk or call Sunderland City Centre Management on 0191 565 3806

With weather forecasters predicting a great summer, there’s also plenty to look forward to thanks to a great programme of initiatives and events aimed at boosting trade across the city centre through the coming months and beyond.

A 12 month long initiative is being put in place by Sunderland City Council to support retailers, with projects that should attract local people and outside visitors.

A new car parking promotion will see free city centre parking on Sundays and a range of one

day family orientated events are planned over the summer months in a variety of venues so all retailers can be involved.

Our appeal to you is help us look more attractive to shoppers by ensuring you stay open!

One of the most exciting schemes is the launch of our Buy Local Card, a loyalty scheme to encourage people to spend their money in Wearside. We are looking for special offers and promotions for card owners so please contact the City Centre Management office if you’d like to participate.

All of the events over the year ahead will be supported by a proactive marketing and promotional campaign, beginning with the new edition of Summertime magazine which will go to all households in July.

Help is also at hand for independent retailers through a new mentoring scheme which is aimed at giving them support.

All details are about to be finalised – to find out more visit www.sunderlandcitycentre.co.uk or contact the City Centre Management office to find out the support available.

Welcome

BUSINESS INITIATIVES fORECAST IN SUNDERLAND

Snapshot A look at business news and events in Sunderland City Centre JUNE 2009

• Louise Hardy, Sunderland City Centre Manager (right) and Carol Hardman, City Centre Assistant

DATES fOR YOUR DIARY

5 -14 June Sunderland Live

7 -16 June Sunniside Live

4 & 5 July International Friendship (Kite) Festival at Usworth, Washington

9 - 11 July Italian Market at Market Square

12th July Bupa Great North 10k at City Centre & Sea Front

25 & 26 July Sunderland International Air Show at Seaburn & Roker Seafront

Make sure you’re the first with all the latest news, proMotions and inforMation in sunderland City Centre by visiting our website. there’s always soMething new.

visit WWW.SuNderlaNdCItyCeNtre.Co.uK

The sound of popping corks and clinking glasses has been echoing across Sunderland, as businesses celebrate their success in the city’s first ever Best Bar None Awards.

The awards – which are backed nationally by the Home Office – were originally launched five years ago, as a way to recognise licensed premises that provide a safe and welcoming environment.

Sunderland became one of more than 60 towns and cities to sign up to the scheme after the idea was suggested by Sunderland City Centre Management, as a way to make the city appear a more attractive destination for all manner of business and leisure visitors.

Working in partnership with Sunderland City Council, Safer Sunderland Partnership and Northumbria Police, they invited pubs, clubs and bars from within the city centre area, to put themselves forward for assessment under the strict Best Bar None Awards criteria.

The Awards were judged by an independent panel, including representatives from the Police and Fire Brigade, who looked for evidence that the venues were well managed and were working hard to reduce alcohol related disorder and promote responsible drinking.

Nominations were also invited from members of the public, who had themselves enjoyed a safe night out in the city.

In all, 13 city centre venues reached the standards required to achieve a Best Bar None award and they were honoured during a glittering black-tie ceremony at the Best Western Roker Hotel earlier this year.

The award winners - Passion, Blue Bambu, Liquid, Sunderland Empire, Gala Casino, The Glass Spider, Varsity, Paddy Whacks, Fifty 5’s, Innfusion, The Lambton Worm, William Jameson and Fitzgeralds - can now all proudly display a Best Bar None certificate and a plaque at their entrance showing that they guarantee an enjoyable and trouble free night out.

Holmeside nightclub Passion was named by judges and voters as the overall winner of the Best Bar None Awards 2009. As a result the bar’s bosses, Andy Sutton, Michael Downey Jr., Jo Gullis and Sharon Downey, were given the chance to represent Sunderland at a prestigious event in the House of Commons, hosted by Lord Redesdale, to discuss

the licensing industry with government representatives and other Best Bar None winners from around the UK.

In addition, Sunderland’s Best Bar None Awards, its sponsors and award winners, all received positive media coverage before, during and after the event, including appearances in the Sunderland Echo, Lifestyle magazine, Scene magazine and on Metro Radio, as well as in a wide range of trade and online publications, highlighting Sunderland as a safe place to enjoy a good night out.

Their achievements have now been also been immortalised in a promotional DVD about the event, which will be used to help further increase visitor numbers to the area, for the mutual benefit of all businesses in the city.

Following the success of this year’s awards and the positive effect it has had on all involved, work has already begun towards the Best Bar None Awards 2010, with plans to open the scheme up to pubs, clubs and bars from across the whole of Sunderland.

For your chance to be involved, including sponsorship opportunities or to receive a copy of the DVD please contact Sunderland City Centre Management on 0191 565 3806 or email info@sunderlandbbn.co.uk

SAfER SUNDERLAND IS BEST … BAR NONE

• Sunderland winners receiving their certificates and plaques at the prestigious Best Bar None Awards

Polycarbonate glasses could soon be in use in bars across Sunderland, after a city centre trial proved a success among businesses, drinkers and police officers alike.

Earlier this year Sunderland City Centre Management worked with five city centre venues - The Point, The Glass Spider, Blu Bambu, Liquid and Passion – to trial the glasses, with the £12,000 cost part funded by the Safer Sunderland Partnership.

Throughout the trial, drinkers were asked to give their verdicts on the virtually unbreakable glasses, with the majority agreeing they made them feel safer and would cause fewer accidents.

The licensees involved also reacted positively, saying that staff felt safer and

there was a marked decrease in the number of spillages and amount of broken glass found on the venue floor. Several landlords also commented on how the glasses, which have an extended shelf life, would help cut replacement costs.

Police in Sunderland are now backing plans to introduce the polycarbonate glasses on a more permanent basis after the trial led to a 70% decrease in glass related incidents and injuries.

For more information, or to find out how you can benefit from using polycarbonate glasses in your venue, contact Sunderland City Centre Management on 0191 565 3806 or email louise.hardy@sunderland.gov.uk

Sunderland arc (area regeneration company) is working hard with its partners to strengthen the city’s economy and make it a truly 21st century place to live, work and play.

The last year has been one of steady progress and one that is building up to plenty of positive changes for the City of Sunderland. The projects that have been completed over the past 12 months have been recognised as among the best in the country, from the region’s only Olympic-sized swimming pool – Sunderland Aquatic Centre on Stadium Village – to the multi

award-winning business and arts centre – thePlace in Sunniside.

In the Sunniside area of the city centre the progress is clear to see. Working with Sunniside Partnership, over £90 million of private investment has already been ploughed into rejuvenating this historic part of the city, attracting new, quality businesses as well as stylish homes, restaurants and bars. Also in the city centre, ambitious £180m plans for the Holmeside retail triangle are well advanced.

The search for a developer for our flagship scheme – Vaux – has attracted great interest and we look forward to announcing the chosen candidate later this year.

At Stadium Village the fantastic Stadium of Light and Sunderland Aquatic Centre (a project led by the City Council) have already established this area as a premier sports destination and we have been getting your views on further exciting plans still to come.

There is still much to be done on flagship sites across Central Sunderland but Sunderland arc is determined to build on the city’s success, establishing it as a premier location for business, employment and housing.

Sunderland arc is supported by a powerful local, regional and national partnership of the Sunderland City Council, One North East and the Homes and Communities Agency.

For more information visit www.sunderlandarc.co.uk

RAISE A GLASS TO SAfETY

IN ThE CITY

fUNDRAISING fUN AT MARKS AND SPENCERMarks and Spencer plc, which celebrates its125th birthday later this year, is giving back to the local community with a series of fundraising events. The Sunderland branch hopes to raise at least £1500 before September 2009 and is now appealing for customers, suppliers and employees to get involved. All proceeds will go to the Barbara Priestman School. For more information, or to pledge your support contact Patrice McCluskey on 0191 565 7534 ext 3102

APPEAL TO REACh £10,000 TARGETThe Pennywell Youth Project has announced plans to raise £10,000 over the next 12 months. The registered charity, which works with 13 to 25 year olds is now appealing for local businesses to support a variety of events, including a Tabletop Sale in July and a sponsored climb of Ben Nevis in September.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who can donate raffle prizes, sponsorship or sponsorship-in-kind. The Project would also like to hear from any business who can offer them in-store space to promote the Youth Project or any old shop fittings including rails and hangers.

The Youth Project works closely with the local community and also offers a Community café, vegetable and flower stall, pet supplies and bike repair shop. For more information, contact the Pennywell Youth Project on 0191 534 5357

SWEET TASTE Of SPORT SUCCESS

Sweet toothed Wearsiders can help fund future city Olympiads thanks to a new campaign in aid

of the Sunderland Sports Fund.

Charity Sweets, founded by city businessman Jason Dunville, will

see proceeds from the sale of traditional sweets being used

to provide financial aid for Sunderland’s up-and-coming sporting stars.

Charity Sweets will be launched on 15th June, 10am at Eauzone Restaurant, Sunniside.

Any shops, individuals or community groups interested in

selling the sweets can contact Charity Sweets direct on 0191 565 1555

SUNDERLAND ARC BRINGS

POSITIVE REGENERATION

Sunderland’s economy is set for a boost this summer, thanks to a month of live entertainment attracting visitors from around the North East and beyond.

High-profile performances by Take That (June 5 and 6) and Oasis (June 10) at the Stadium of Light are each expected to bring more than 50,000 visitors into the city, promising a positive knock-on effect for businesses within the surrounding area. Doors for each concert open at 4pm. For more information on the concerts take a look at the concerts website: www.safcconcerts.com

Coinciding with the concerts is the three week run of the smash-hit musical We Will Rock You, which arrives at the Sunderland Empire from June 10 as part of its first ever UK tour. The show, which features an all-star cast, including Ex-Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy and musicals star Jonathan Wilkes, is expected to be a total sell-out, bringing even more people into the city.

While nearby bars, restaurants and hotels look set to benefit most from this influx of visitors, a special programme of live entertainment has also been launched, to help other businesses capitalise as much as possible.

Sunderland Live, which runs from June 4 to June 15, has been designed to bring more visitors into the city centre and will feature an eclectic mix

of artists, performing at free and ticketed events across Sunderland. The festival will include live street performances during the build up to all three of the big stadium gigs, as well as special performances at Mowbray Park bandstand on Sundays 7 and 14 June.

Some of the city’s best homegrown talent will get their own chance to shine with the final of Sound Explosive, the Sunderland Echo’s search for Sunderland’s best new band on June 12.

Music lovers will also be travelling into Holmeside and Sunniside throughout Sunderland Live, with a series of gigs at the Independent Bar, The Place Cafe, Eauzone Restaurant, Amore and the Theatre Restaurant.

Businesses are being advised to expect some travel disruptions during the event, particularly around the stadium gigs, where conditions are expected to be similar to that on matchdays and many roads will be closed. Organisers have been working hard to ensure disruptions are minimal and hope that the influx of potential customers will more than make up for any inconvenience caused.

For more information visit www.sunderlandcitycentre.co.uk or call Sunderland City Centre Management on 0191 565 3806

Saturday 30 May - SuNday 14 JuNe Club events from 8pm INdepeNdeNt Bar, HolMeSIde including Andrew Wetherall and B>E>A>K,Combichrist, Dinosaur Pile Up, Kid British, Joan of Arc, Club de Paris and more tICKet reQuIred, £4 - £5 www.independentsunderland.co.uk

Saturday 30 May - WedNeSday 10 JuNe Club events from 7pm CaMpuS aCadeMy Sunderland University’s Campus will be hosting bands including The Beautiful South, tribute bands and DJs. All are welcome tICKet reQuIred, £3 - £12

FrIday 5 JuNe 11am - 2pm Free MuSIC IN CIty CeNtre SpaCeS: The Dirty Diamonds, Aurora Strings Hot Gospel, Hot House Dragons

FrIday 5 JuNe 4pm doors open, 6pm first band StadIuM oF lIgHt taKe tHat tICKet reQuIred www.safc.com

Saturday 6 JuNe 4pm doors open, 6pm first band StadIuM oF lIgHt taKe tHat tICKet reQuIred www.safc.com

Saturday 6 JuNe 11am - 4pm Free MuSIC IN CIty CeNtre SpaCeS: The Dirty Diamonds, Pluck, Hot House Dragons

Saturday 6 JuNe 1pm - 6pm Free MuSIC IN SuNNISIde gardeNS & MoWBray parK The Real Macaws, Bassa Bassa, Mas Y Mas, Oompah Brass, Alan Kelly and the Dogs of Tralee

SuNday 7 JuNe 2pm - 4pm Free MuSIC IN MoWBray parK Jazzamataz

SuNday 7 JuNe 8pm tHe plaCe CaFe Athenaeum Street, Sunniside The Generals and The Flytes £2 eNtry www.theplacecafe.co.uk

WedNeSday 10 JuNe 3.30pm doors open, 5.30pm first band StadIuM oF lIgHt oaSIS tICKet reQuIred www.safc.com

FrIday 12 JuNe Starts 6.30pm tHe plaCe SouNdS exploSIve FINal Sunderland Echo’s quest to find the best band in Sunderland and East Durham. Free www.sunderlandecho.com

Saturday 13 JuNe 1pm - 6pm Free MuSIC IN SuNNISIde gardeNS & MoWBray parK Programmed by Monumental Music Monty Casino, Saint & The Cynics, The Spheres, The Wooden Spoons, The Generals, Black Sun, Dot to Dots, Impermanent, DJ sets from Factory, PURE, and 7even, Village Soul, Run for Cover, and The White Room

SuNday 14 JuNe 5.30pm eauzoNe reStauraNt 24-26 Norfolk Street, Sunniside Pat McMahon & Bob Kent (from Blue Diamonds) www.eauzoneltd.co.uk

SuNday 14 JuNe 8pm tHe plaCe CaFe Athenaeum Street, Sunniside Emerald Thieves £2 eNtry www.theplacecafe.co.uk

SuNday 14 JuNe 2pm - 4pm Free MuSIC IN MoWBray parK Latin Connection

10 - 27 JuNe SuNderlaNd eMpIre We WIll roCK you The UK premiere tour of the smash hit musical, hosted exclusively in the North East by Sunderland Empire. An all-star cast will deliver a spectacular show. tICKet reQuIred www.sunderlandempire.org.uk

every tueSday From 7pm aMore 11 Tavistock Place, Sunniside Singer Jamie Squires www.amore11.com

every Saturday From 7.30pm tHeatre reStauraNt 1-2 John Street, Sunniside Calamity Jane - musical www.theatrerestaurant.co.uk

For tHe Full prograMMe aNd tICKet prICeS pleaSe vISIt WWW.SuNderlaNdeveNtS.CoM

Details are correct at time of print and are subject to change.

Published by Sunderland City centre Management, June 2009. All information correct at time of going to press.

Make sure you’re the first with all the latest news, proMotions and inforMation in sunderland City Centre by visiting our website. there’s always soMething new.

visit WWW.SuNderlaNdCItyCeNtre.Co.uK

LIVE MUSIC BRINGS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES TO SUNDERLAND

For tHe Full prograMMe aNd tICKet prICeS pleaSe vISIt WWW.SuNderlaNdeveNtS.CoM