Boris Bear
Striker
You forgot to mention the auditorium they're building behind the old fire station...and the beacon of light which is intended to host concerts for up to 4500 peopleThat's a bit pessimistic, given that the Empire has been doing well for years, and the Old Fire Station is getting redeveloped as a venue too. Arguably will soon be better than it has been in recent memory. The football team is obviously rubbish but there's nothing the council can do about that (or anyone really, other than Ellis Short). Also things like putting the new college site in the city centre is exactly what's needed to improve footfall, as well as the stuff around Keel Square mentioned above. And in terms of entertainment, the cinema we have now is far better and more popular than the offering we had when I was growing up.
Third best attended UK museum outside of Londonplus winter garden & museum and gallery, glass centre, beaches etc. While no one is saying cancel your week in Turkey and come to Sunderland, its not a bad place for people to come for a weekend break.