Nicholas Craig column
Mar 11 2005 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal
Surprising Sunderland. Its tourist attractions are winning accolades and its shopping centre is going great guns.
Yet Sunderland came third in a poll of the 50 worst towns in the UK last year.
Undoubtedly, Sunderland is a city that is determined to get to the top. It is driving huge investment and a host of new attractions to the city, many of which are impressive.
Sunderland has a rich history. It was once the biggest shipbuilding port in the world. Now the ports are shut, as are the mines. In their place is the fastest growing automotive sector in the country.
Unemployment is at its lowest level and Sunderland is creating more jobs than it has lost in the last 10 years.
There are plans for £1bn worth of investment to transform the city and regenerate the riverside, as well as to build the region's first Olympic-size swimming pool and a £26m cinema and leisure complex.
The Empire, the biggest theatre between Edinburgh and York, is showing some of the biggest musicals since its £4.5m revamp, and the Museum and Winter Gardens is the "best large visitor attraction" outside London.
The Bridges has just been ranked amongst the UK's top shopping centres, the beaches and parks are award winning and the city won silver for Best City in the Britain in Bloom competition in 2004.
However, there is still much to do in Sunderland to make it the mighty force it once was.
The city centre sprawls across busy, thriving areas and down-at-heel streets, connected by a bewildering road system.
In districts where there was once a mix of shops, there are now too many bars and vacant buildings.
Crime is down, employment is up and huge amounts of money are being ploughed into the area. Its size and substance means it has the power to bring real change to the entire region. Like its football team, I'd be delighted to see it at the top of the league.
John Peel once said: "Sunderland is the new Manchester." It certainly needs Manchester's confidence, commitment and focused approach to make its mark as a remarkable city of surprises.
