As someone with experience of letting retail units in railway stations, I can say unequivocally that the reason the units remain empty, more than 2.5 years after the railway station opened, is simply that the rent being demanded is too high.
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Sunderland railway station.
- Thread starter EDGE
- Start date
Houghtoner
Winger
Not needed at all and isn’t remotely appropriate.
Brett
Striker
That's what most people have said for ages, that the rent should have been lowered to allow local businesses which is what the area needed
Now we are in a situation where the only type of businesses that will move in are betting shops
It seems crazy that it's just been left empty rather than have money coming in
It’s public vs private sector mentality.
At Arriva, we had dozens of stations in Wales which had not had any retail lets on the station for decades but we let every single unit out (some were literally only bringing in £500:month, so it would take half a year to recoup the cost of letting!) because it was better, in terms of customer satisfaction (upon which we were measured) to have someone, rather than nobody, there.
Brett
Striker
Look at the Trainline at seaburn , that unit has done amazing and regularly actually sells out of everything
Now the business is opening a 2nd shop in seaham
That’s brilliant to hear.
I think part of the problem is that ‘transport’ is primarily a NECA, rather than Sunderland council responsibility - and I’m yet to be convinced that NECA give a flying fuck about rail travel in Sunderland.
(I’ve been waiting for five months for NECA to evidence a claim they made to me that further direct rail connections for the city would require infrastructure investment on the Newcastle - Sunderland rail line (which it doesn’t, so they can’t).
Brett
Striker
I remember us having a train to Manchester, this is going back 2006/2007 as I definitely went from Sunderland
That would be my suggestion of the first direct connection to be re-established.
It is unbelievable that in 2026 you cannot get a direct train from the City of Sunderland to Leeds or Manchester.
I go to Manchester every month or so for work. The additional delay and risk of not making a connection from the Metro - as well as the ball-ache of moving myself and my bags means that I quite often drive it rather than getting the train.
There is no reason the Man - Newc TPE cannot be extended to Sunderland.
Having direct rail connections to other major Northern cities would provide a direct economic boost to the City of Sunderland.
It would also help get those units in the station let!
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DearRatBoy
Central Defender
From his Facebook:
A quick comment on the betting shop application in the retail unit by the train station: I’m disappointed at the proposal and that an alternative tenant has not been found.
I have been pushing the rail authorities for some time on this, including suggesting that a ‘break through’ be created in the wall from the unit to the station concourse, which in my view would enhance the attractiveness to alternative potential tenants and increase footfall/facilities in the station itself.
While Councils or politicians do not control commercial decisions about the placement of businesses, betting shops are rightly subject to licensing control. It is important the licensing process is followed properly and I would encourage interested citizens to express their views as part of that.
mikem
Striker
There you go - quick response.
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A quick comment on the betting shop application in the retail unit by the train station: I’m disappointed at the proposal and that an alternative tenant has not been found.
I have been pushing the rail authorities for some time on this, including suggesting that a ‘break through’ be created in the wall from the unit to the station concourse, which in my view would enhance the attractiveness to alternative potential tenants and increase footfall/facilities in the station itself.
While Councils or politicians do not control commercial decisions about the placement of businesses, betting shops are rightly subject to licensing control. It is important the licensing process is followed properly and I would encourage interested citizens to express their views as part of that.
Edit: damn, beaten to it. Competitive MP quoting…
RedandWhiteRebel
Midfield
Even a Burger King would be more appropriate?
Sunderland must be one of a few cities not to have a Burger King in the city centre.
Sunderland must be one of a few cities not to have a Burger King in the city centre.
Fosters Mackem
Winger
used to be a Ladbrokes in Kings Cross many moons ago - I used to travel extensively so might have that mixed up to be honest as train stations all seem the same after a while...
As much as I’d like to see these units filled it’s a location that is targeted by feral kids and smackheads during the day. That’s why a lot of businesses close by have added security locks etc. Until something is done about them nothing will change.
Is it really that much worse than other, similar city centre environments?
If it that bad, how come the coffee truck has traded there, apparently happily, for several months?
makumstu
Striker
Thought 3 of them have tenants and the only one that has shut down is the Bar.
Plum Duff
Central Defender
Just Nero open now I think. Seems to be a couple of stalls in the actual station itself open though.
makumstu
Striker
Theres a gift shop in one, the other two are up for lease as the bar, but I think there might be plans to remove the kitchen and turn it into a champagne bar as well as increase the number of pop up market type stalls.
