Former Argos building set for demolition

Sunderland City Council says Co-Operative House is key to its regeneration plans

Plans have been submitted to demolish a building that once housed Argos and Mothercare stores.

Sunderland City Council said knocking down the property, known as Co-Operative House, on High Street West would enable future redevelopment works.

It is currently split into three units, with a café and bistro the only exiting occupier.

The local authority bought the building earlier this year as part of its plans to connect the city centre to the former Vaux Brewery site.

If planning permission is granted by councillors next month, demolition could be completed by late October, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The former Marks & Spencer building on the same street could also face bulldozers as the council is proposing to flatten part or all of the property to make way for offices and retail space.

However, no formal demolition application has appeared on the council’s planning portal website to date.