Sunderland's leading shopping centre is celebrating a successful year, after adding a number of well-known brands to its growing list of retailers.
And the Bridges is also hoping to see the retail offer boosted even further in 2018, with the hope of new stores opening in the city.
The past 12 months has seen a number of new additions to the centre, with fashion retailer River Island moving into larger premises in the shopping centre in June, with the new shop occupying double the floor space of the previous site.
The centre’s Debenhams store introduced two international cosmetic brands for the first time earlier this year, following a month-long transformation of its beauty hall.
Both MAC Cosmetics and US brand Buxom were available in the city for the first time – and were very well received by shoppers.
And national ice-cream chain Joe Delucci’s Gelato opened a temporary parlour at the Bridges in April, selling authentic Italian gelato.
The Pasta Factory opened its first unit at Market Place in December, selling homemade pasta and a range of other Italian deli foods, while Toys “R” Us opened its first Sunderland store at the Bridges in October, in time for the Christmas rush.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the shopping experience for our visitors and we’re delighted these well-known retailers have chosen to bring their stores to Sunderland,” said Samantha Czwordon-Wright, Marketing Manager at the Bridges.
“We are excited to see what 2018 will bring for our current retailers and cannot wait to welcome even more new brands to the Bridges.”