Hopes city's glass heritage saved with new centre

A city's glass working heritage is to be secured through the creation of a new £5m centre dedicated to the art, the government has announced.

Glass-making has been carried out in Sunderland for 1,350 years but there were fears this would end after it was announced the National Glass Centre would close in 2026.

But Labour Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the government was investing in a new site called Glassworks: Sunderland, as part of a £60m fund for creative industries.

Chief executive of Sunderland Culture Nik Malyan said the existing glass-making centre was not financially stable and the new site would safeguard "the craft, the skills and the art form".

Sunderland University said it was closing the National Glass Centre because it would cost between £14m and £45m to repair the site.

Sunderland Conservative leader Antony Mullen said the planned loss of the National Glass Centre had "caused much upset among residents" and welcomed news of its replacement.

But Sunderland Liberal Democrat councillor Niall Hodson described the new centre as a "downgrade which we are being asked to applaud".

Nandy announced Glassworks: Sunderland during a visit to the Glasshouse - formerly known as the Sage Gateshead - where she announced a £60m package for the creative sector.

She said the fund was designed to "turbocharge growth by transforming local venues, creating jobs, supporting businesses and spreading opportunity across the country".

Plans to create a new Centre for Writing in Newcastle were also approved as part of the announcement.

The centre, which will be based at Bolbec Hall in Westgate Road and run by New Writing North, will receive £5m from the fund.

CEO of New Writing North Claire Malcolm said she was "thrilled and excited" by the investment.

"This project will be transformative for writing in the north and will bring benefits to so many people of all ages through high quality jobs and creative opportunities."

Sheffield music education centre Harmony Works will also receive £3.5m, while North Somerset cultural venue The Tropicana will receive £2.7m.

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