IT’S HAPPENINGIN 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.
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.
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.
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
Makers &
Bakers Market5 April 2025
A fantastic variety of handpicked artisan local gift shopping stalls located in the Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland.
Stalls include handmade gifts, art, delicious homebakes, gourmet sweet treats, photography, keepsakes, pet accessories, pamper products and so much more!Entry is free.
National Armed Forces
& Emergency Services Event9 April 2025
NAFESE 2025 is the only UK National event to celebrate the ethos of service for the services from armed to emergency to volunteer.
The National Armed Forces and Emergency Services Event 2025 celebrates the ethos of service for the services from armed to emergency to volunteer.
The event consists of an Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club (open to all attendees) with speakers, a Recruitment and Resettlement Zone, a STEM Village (located this year inside the Beacon of Light), a Trade Quarter for B2B dealings and a Regional Showcase Hub.
There is something for everyone on the day!
Come along and see over 60 exhibitors!
Sheepfolds
Stables Market13 April 2025
Artisan food and drink market, in conjunction with Local Heroes, will be held on the second Sunday of each month going forward. Visitors can wander around the many stalls and purchase from a range of local independent traders offering the very best produce, from crafted gifts to specialist breads and cakes, organic vegetables, charcuterie and more!
Hairspray
The Musical14 April 2025
Starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Joanne Clifton (Shrek the Musical, The Addams Family) as the fierce yet fabulous Velma van Tussle. Making her directorial debut is Hairspray royalty Brenda Edwards (Hairspray, We Will Rock You) who will bring new energy from behind the scenes. Featuring some of musical theatre’s biggest hit songs, Welcome to the 60s, You Can’t Stop the Beat, Good Morning Baltimore and many more. Hairspray is the hilarious, joyous, and inspiring musical for all! Join big hearted Tracy Turnblad and her new friends the spirited Seaweed and his sister Little Inez, heartthrob Link Larkin and the resolute Motormouth Maybelle as they strive to change the world. Hairspray has wowed audiences in The West End and on Broadway and still packs a punch with its message of tolerance and the fight against racial discrimination. This fun-filled show is bursting with show-stopping numbers and dizzying dance routines, come and join the beat because just to sit still would be a crime!
Hairspray
the musical14 April 2025
Featuring some of musical theatre’s biggest hit songs, Welcome to the 60s, You Can’t Stop the Beat, Good Morning Baltimore and many more. Hairspray is the hilarious, joyous, and inspiring musical for all!
Join big hearted Tracy Turnblad and her new friends the spirited Seaweed and his sister Little Inez, heartthrob Link Larkin and the resolute Motormouth Maybelle as they strive to change the world. Hairspray has wowed audiences in The West End and on Broadway and still packs a punch with its message of tolerance and the fight against racial discrimination.
Game of
II Halves17 April 2025
The Game of II Halves project aims to promote positive mental health messaging and destigmatise conversations around male mental health, suicide and self-harm. Through the recruitment of ambassadors, monthly engagement in workshops and positive engagement in this conference, increased awareness can help normalise healthy conversations around mental health issues and provide an outlet for those in distress.
SUNNISIDE
FOOD MARKET26 April 2025
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.
SAFC End of
Season Awards4 May 2025
This is your invite to be part of Sunderland AFC’s 2024-25 End of Season Awards, a night of reflection and celebration amongst our men’s, women’s and academy teams.
Join this special evening at the Beacon of Light on Sunday, 4 May 2025, as winners across 12 categories are crowned. Attendees at the End of Season Awards get the exclusive honour of voting for Goal of the Season, and with some incredible efforts so far this campaign, it could be very close.
Sunderland City
Runs11 May 2025
Run the city alight, Sunderland! Join one of the biggest closed road running events in the North East on the 11th May.
The first Sunderland City 10km was held in 2011 with just over 1500 taking part. In 2025, we’re welcoming 4,000 participants to the city streets in a celebration across a range of distances. You can choose the flat and fast 10K, a spring Half Marathon, or the Active Sunderland Big 3K. There’s something for everyone!
Sunderland
Shorts12 May 2025
2025 is the 10th anniversary edition of Sunderland Shorts Film Festival and we look forward to it being our biggest and best event yet, and we look forward to welcoming you to be part of the action!
OUR CITY
IN NUMBERS
