City centre Tesco store approved

The new store will be outside The Bridges shopping centre

Plans for a Tesco Express supermarket in Sunderland city centre have been approved by councillors.

An opening date for the branch at Market Square, outside The Bridges shopping centre, has yet to be announced.

The unit, which sits opposite Caffé Nero, is currently occupied by the Sugarsole shop.

Tesco closed its branch inside The Bridges in the spring of 2022, with the company saying at the time that it planned to return to the area.

A planning application for a new shop front, including sliding doors and a separate application for signage, were also approved this week, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Niall Hodson previously welcomed Tesco's return

News of the return of Tesco to the city centre has previously been welcomed by Liberal Democrat councillor Niall Hodson, who represents the area as part of Millfield ward.

Speaking in January, 2024, he said it would help people "living in the city centre who desperately need a supermarket".