'Tired' shops to be refurbished by community charity

Plans have been submitted to refurbish the shops on Villette Road, in Hendon

A high street will be given a new lease of life if plans put forward by a community charity are approved.

Back on the Map is working to bring four derelict shops back into use on Villette Road in Hendon, Sunderland.

It is hoped that the new units will give residents spaces where they can set up new businesses.

The charity's CEO Jo Cooper said: "We believe this project and the wider high street revolution work will put Villette Road back on the map.”

Architectural firm Building Design Northern (BDN) has designed the new properties for free and has submitted planning applications to Sunderland City Council.

Adam Lennox, architectural assistant at BDN, said: "If approved, the project will see four existing irregular-shaped, out-of-use units and tired shop frontages revitalised, to reinvigorate the high street, and provide opportunities for the local community to thrive."

The four new retail units will have flexible layouts and modern shop frontages.

BDN is carrying out the design work for free for Back on the Map

If the plans are approved, Back on the Map intends to work on the redevelopment as soon as possible.

The charity focuses on regenerating and improving Hendon for the local community.

Earlier this year, it secured £168,000 in government funding from the department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities' £150m Community Ownership Fund.

The money is being used for Back on the Map's High Street Revolution project, which aims to help community groups take ownership of "local institutions".

Ms Cooper said the Villette Road development was part of the charity's wider high street regeneration scheme which "directly responds to what the local community have told us the area needs to thrive".

She added: "[BDN's] involvement has elevated the project and attracted lots of attention from local businesses looking for quality retail space."