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Historic £85 million City Deal for Sunderland and South Tyneside to create jobs

Some 8,900 jobs are expected to be created in the North East by 2031 as Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council have secured in a City Deal from the Government.

The deal will see a major redevelopment of the Vaux Brewery site and a new advanced manufacturing park to the West of the A19, that will play home to automotive suppy chain, offshore operators and technology firms.

Construction of the manufacturing park is expected to be completed by 2027.

The two councils worked with the North East LEP to secure the deal which is also expected to leverage substantial private sector investment.

North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive, James Ramsbotham, said: “This is the right project at the right time in the right area and will provide another boost to an economy that has stabilised over the last year and is now showing genuine signs of growth.

“The area has earned this City Deal through hard work and innovation. It’s automotive industry and supply chain are regional manufacturing powerhouses and key drivers for our continued success in export markets.

“Both Sunderland and South Tyneside local authorities and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership must be congratulated for their efforts to successfully secure City Deal status.”

Paul Woolston, chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership said: “This is great news for Sunderland, South Tyneside and the wider region. The International Advanced Manufacturing Park will provide the location and agglomeration benefits needed to compete globally in a competitive manufacturing environment.

“We’re delighted that the bid has been successful and it means that the North East Local Enterprise Partnership area is now the only LEP area to host two city deals.”

Greg Clark, Minister for Cities, said: “Sunderland is known the world over for its car-making prowess. This City Deal will create state-of-the-art space for further advanced manufacturing businesses to set up shop in the city, employing more talented local people and consolidating that reputation even further.

“Building on the strength of the proposed north east combined authority, this is an excellent foundation for growth in the region. It sows the seeds for exciting opportunities for the private sector, which has already created 1.6 million new jobs in Britain since this government came to power.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .