Derelict Sunderland site springs back to life

A long-unused industrial site in Sunderland is being transformed.

Construction is now underway at Eastgate Point, a £12 million mixed-use scheme that will breathe new life into an 8.5-acre brownfield site, previously home to a Littlewoods call centre that was closed in 2010.

The project is being led by Sunderland-based architecture and engineering firm Building Design Northern Ltd (BDN), working alongside developer Promenade Properties and main contractor Hewitson Group. 

Bosses say the development will feature 19 industrial units, a food and drink outlet and an electric vehicle charging station.

They add the site has already secured its first occupier, with housing association Gentoo announcing a new depot in partnership with Jewson Partnership Solutions.

Ryan Doyle, operations director at BDN, said: “Back in its day, this site was a hive of activity – it was home to Littlewoods’ call centre (Brian Mills) and the workplace of over 900 people. 

“It is a prime location only minutes from Port of Sunderland and the city centre, so to be able to bring it back to life and create a modern and market-driven scheme that will meet demand, encourage wider business interest and new opportunities from other industries, boost the local economy and regenerate the area, was key.

“The site already had excellent connectivity, in terms of transport links to major routes, which is always a huge bonus for attracting inward investment, but with a residential area close by it was also important to create the right landscaping and improve the nearby streetscape.”

The seven speculative-build blocks will offer units ranging from 3500sq ft to 20,000sq ft for light industrial, general industrial and storage use. 

Completion of phase one is scheduled for summer 2026.

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