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
Will
Young8 October 2024
Will Young is embarking on his most intimate tour yet to showcase ‘Light It Up’ – his brand new album.
The winner of two Brit Awards, an estimated worldwide sale of over eight million albums, and the first ever Pop Idol, Will’s double A-sided debut single ‘Evergreen’ was released two weeks after the show’s finale and became the fastest-selling debut single in the UK.
Sunderland Business
Festival14 October 2024
Sunderland Business Festival, which has been running since 2021, aims to inspire enterprises from across the region, with a host of engaging speeches and sessions from high profile business leaders. The event, which comprises a range of sessions – most of which are completely free to attend.
The festival is being organised by Sunderland Business Partnership, a collective of organisations – large and small – all with an interest in the city’s development, creating opportunities for members to collaborate and grow, which in turn helps Sunderland to be a more dynamic destination for business.
SBF: North
East Economy14 October 2024
A panel discussion with key regional and national business leaders around the future of the North East economy.
The panel will include:
Women in
Leadership15 October 2024
A business breakfast event themed around Women in Leadership, with a panel of fantastic female leaders from the city.
The panel will include:
EXPO: Delivering
the Future City15 October 2024
Delivering the Future City 2023 set a first for professional business events in City Hall, Sunderland: to showcase the regeneration journey in a series of new and vibrant panel sessions, led by industry, stakeholder and government voices: to discuss Sunderland’s incredible re-invention story, in and amongst heightened levels of staging and conference hospitality.
On 15-16 October 2024, a gear-change in the enhanced programme will demonstrate the progress made and focus on the key challenges that have arisen, set in the context of a new Government policy landscape, devolution and social and economic circumstances. Themes include how to bring more life to the city centre, accelerate housing delivery, build new cohesive communities, advance technological innovation, further address climate change and develop new skills.
SBF: Social Enterprise
in Sunderland16 October 2024
Social enterprises are businesses designed to address social or environmental issues while generating profit.
In Sunderland, a growing community of these enterprises play a crucial role by providing essential services, creating employment opportunities and promoting innovative business practices.
SBF: The Business
of Football16 October 2024
The story that captivated Sunderland this summer was the return of iconic sports brand hummel and delivery of a new retail experience with global leader Fanatics.
This energetic and insightful discussion with senior leaders from Sunderland AFC, Hummel UK and Fanatics, will give a unique glimpse into how the partnership came together and how a common desire to super serve fans and deliver a unique experience is at the core of the new relationship.
SBF: Si King
& Alex Partridge17 October 2024
In Conversation With Si King and Alex Partridge.
Si King and Alex Partridge will participate in a day of inspirational talks from well-known faces discussing their lives and careers, hosted by former Look North newsreader Jeff Brown.
SBF: Reimagining
Our High Street18 October 2024
A collaborative design dash with University of Sunderland students and Sunderland BID
A collaborative, multi-stakeholder workshop, bringing together University of Sunderland students, local retailers and businesses to co-create a futureproofed High Street.
Unity in
The Community19 October 2024
Free food, music, family fun, and support from local organisations are available to everyone in Sunderland.
OUR CITY
IN NUMBERS
