IT’S HAPPENING
IN SUNDERLAND

We are creating a vibrant city centre with opportunities for everyone.

Access invaluable business support, learn about how our city is developing, access an array of fantastic events and see everything that’s #HappeningInSunderland city centre – all in one place.

WE’RE IMPROVING
SUNDERLAND

We are working to create a city we can all be proud of. Our priorities ensure our goals are met and we are accountable for the promises we make.

These three priorities represent our driving force to build a safe, clean & attractive environment, to ensure our city centre business voices are heard at the highest levels, and to raise Sunderland’s profile regionally and nationally.

City PRIDE

We are changing perceptions and building civic pride by ensuring our city centre is a welcoming, safe, clean, and attractive environment for everyone.

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City VOICE

We provide a robust and collective voice for our businesses at the highest level to make good things happen to improve Sunderland city centre’s trading environment.

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City PROMOTION

We raise the profile of Sunderland regionally and nationally and create a year-round programme of city-wide marketing activities, high-profile events, and promotional campaigns.

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WE ARE
YOUR BID

Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID) is a collaborative effort driven by businesses, united under a single vision: to create a vibrant city centre with opportunities for everyone.

Since our inception in 2014, we have injected over £6 million into enhancing the city centre. Through the backing of our levy payers, business stakeholders, and essential partners, we have formulated a pragmatic and attainable blueprint for the future.

BECOME AN
AFFILIATE MEMBER

All businesses and organisations benefit from the work we do in Sunderland.

Therefore, we have extended many of the benefits our levy payers enjoy to other businesses in the city centre and around Sunderland by creating an Affiliate Scheme.

Find out how we can support your business.

WHAT IS
GOVERNANCE?

Governance might seem a boring and dry subject, but actually, it can be fascinating and hugely dynamic as it consists of the processes, policies and laws which will affect how an organisation is managed.

In the case of Sunderland BID, the processes and policies are directed and controlled by our Board of Directors to ensure that performance and risk are managed effectively.

LATEST EVENTS

    • War Horse Sunderland Empire

      War
      Horse

      5 November 2024

      War Horse is an unforgettable theatrical experience which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized horses by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage.

    • Sheepfolds Stables

      Luna
      Night Market

      7 November 2024

      Pop-up, alternative market at Sheepfolds Stables, the hottest new venue in Sunderland, delivering incredible food and drinks! Look forward to 20 alternative stalls indoors, tarot reading and reiki healing! 

    • Waves
      Festival

      16 November 2024

      Sunderland’s multi-venue festival Waves returns for a fourth edition in 2024, on Saturday, 16 November, with the first line-up now announced, including headliners Miles Kane (one-man band), Red Rum Club & Tom A. Smith and many more across 8 stages of music in Sunderland.

      Sponsors: Sunderland City Council, Sunderland BID, Molson Coors, A Kendal Builders, VAUX, NAME, Independent, Supermax Creative.

    • Dear Evan Hansen Sunderland Empire

      Dear Evan
      Hansen

      19 November 2024

      Meet Evan: an anxious high school kid who wants nothing more than to fit in. The thing is, on his way to fitting in, he didn’t tell the whole truth. And now must give up on a life he never dreamt he’d have. As events spiral and the truth comes out, Evan faces a reckoning with himself and everyone around him.

    • Christmas Light
      Switch On

      21 November 2024

      Let there be lights! Join us for the christmas light switch on in Keel Square.

      Kick off the festive season with a family-friendly evening in Keel Square!

    • SUNNISIDE
      FOOD MARKET

      23 November 2024

      Pop-up community market supports new and emerging food and drinks businesses across the North East.

      From brewers, bakers, and cheesemongers to world-class street food vendors, our north east food and drink traders are delighted to bring themselves to your doorstep.

    • Angelo’s
      Christmas Fair

      24 November 2024

      Join us for a festive day of local treasures featuring florists, illustrators, artists, Italian produce, crafts, trinkets, and unique gifts.

      Perfect for holiday shopping!

    • Sheepfolds Stables

      Christmas
      Village

      30 November 2024

      Get in the Christmas spirit at this pop-up festive market showcasing the very best gifts, crafts and artisan products.

    • Rapunzel
      Pantomime

      4 December 2024

      Many years ago, the King and Queen of a far-off Kingdom were blessed with a baby girl with magical, golden hair. They named her Rapunzel. Their happiness was short-lived as, one day, the jealous, evil witch Mother Gothel kidnapped the child and locked her in a tower, selfishly squandering all her powers for herself. With the help of local hairdresser Dame Fanny Follicle, her silly son Pascal and the dashing Prince Ryder, will Rapunzel ever escape her tower?

      Wednesday 4 December
      Thursday 5 December
      Saturday 7 December

      £12 tickets https://bit.ly/3UzWXk7

    BUSINESS PLAN

    THE FUTURE OF OUR
    SUNDERLAND BID

    SEE THE 2024-2029 BID BUSINESS PLAN

    OUR CITY
    IN NUMBERS

    ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT
    (2019-2024)
    £13,396,790
    INVESTED BACK INTO THE CITY CENTRE
    (2019-2024)
    £3,300,000
    ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL FOOTFALL
    (2019-2024)
    440,000