Just Eat delivers new Sunderland base

A global online food delivery business has strengthened its North East presence with a move into a landmark city centre office at the heart of a major regeneration scheme.

Just Eat has relocated its Sunderland team into 18,000sq ft at Maker, one of two new office buildings at Riverside Sunderland backed by Legal & General. 

The rapid delivery platform has signed a ten-year lease, taking the entire fifth floor alongside part of the fourth floor, including a terrace with views across the River Wear and out to sea.

The move follows a three-month fit-out that has transformed the space into a modern customer service hub, creating a long-term base for the company in the city. 

Just Eat first arrived in the North East in 2021 and has since become a significant contributor to the local economy, generating £20.8 million of value in Sunderland alone, alongside a further £31.7 million through supply chains and employee spending across the wider region.

Kirsti McKernan, Just Eat’s regional operations director, said: “It's great to be kicking off the New Year in our vibrant new space at Maker. 

“Colleagues are particularly enjoying the views over the River Wear and easy access to all the city-centre has to offer. 

“We're looking forward to seeing the development continue to grow.”

Maker forms part of a £100 million investment by Legal & General into Riverside Sunderland, with development manager Landid overseeing the design and construction of the offices. 

The building, along with its sister site Faber, was designed by North East architects Ryder Architecture and delivered with a strong focus on local skills and materials.

James Silver, managing director at Landid, added: “It’s wonderful to see Maker in use and to see the space transformed into a vibrant new hub for Just Eat.

“Maker occupies a prime position on the banks of the Wear, with incredible views, but seeing the interior so spectacularly transformed by Just Eat means the office now matches the outstanding cityscape it overlooks. 

“It is a stunning workspace that offers access to city-centre amenities, ensuring Just Eat’s employees can enjoy a brilliant lifestyle too.”

Riverside Sunderland is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, led by Sunderland City Council in partnership with the private sector.

Maker and Faber sit alongside major developments including Culture House, Vaux Housing and the Eye Hospital, all of which are nearing completion and reshaping a once-derelict part of the city centre.

Councillor Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business at Sunderland City Council, added: “We are proud, as a local authority, to build strong partnerships with the private sector that allow us to support businesses as they grow. 

“We have worked closely with Just Eat for a number of years, securing their move to the city and supporting the growth of a fantastic team.

“To see them take space in a building at the heart of a development we have driven with such ambition and energy is incredibly rewarding.”

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