Plans for new glassmaking hub set for submission
BBCA planning application to transform a former warehouse into a glassmaking hub is set to be submitted next week.
The proposals, for the former Peter Smith Antiques building in the Sunniside area of Sunderland, aim to create Glassworks and replace the National Glass Centre (NGC), which is set to close on 31 July over unaffordable repair costs.
Applicant Sunderland Culture said artists had helped to shape the plans for the "vibrant space for glassmaking, ceramics and creative production".
Campaigners fighting to save the NGC said the original site had been "specifically designed and built for industrial glassmaking processes".
Sunderland Culture has previously said it would work to ensure the facilities at the new building are fit for purpose.
There are plans to demolish the National Glass Centre, which opened in 1998 and was recently added to SAVE Britain's Heritage buildings at risk register.
Sunderland-based glass artist Helen Gordon said plans for the site had been "well considered" and included "vital specialist equipment".
"By providing a sustainable home for glass and ceramic artists, the facility will help safeguard specialist skills, support local creative industries, and ensure that Sunderland remains a leading centre for contemporary glass for future generations," she said.
The project has received a £5m grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with Sunderland Culture looking to secure match funding.
The site is scheduled to open in 2028.
Sunderland Culture's chief executive office Nick Malyan said Glassworks would provide a "national centre of excellence for glassmaking" and create opportunities for artists and businesses.
"This is about more than just creating a physical space for a rich tradition to continue," he said.
"It is a genuine opportunity to grow the glassmaking community in Sunderland from a suitable and sustainable space, with the right assistance wrapped around the people and businesses based there to help them succeed."
