Labour councillor to resign over glass centre row

Denny Wilson said the Sunderland Labour leader should also resign if the party lost a by-election

A Labour councillor says he will step down unless his council leader agrees to hold a public meeting about the fate of the National Glass Centre (NGC).

Denny Wilson, who sits on Sunderland City Council, had the whip temporarily removed in July due to his involvement in a motion to preserve the venue.

He continues to represent the Castle ward as an independent, and said the Labour-run local authority had not done enough to find alternatives to demolishing the building.

A Sunderland Labour Group spokesperson said the closure of the NGC was a "decision that we regret but it is ultimately a decision that is completely out of our control".

The centre, which has been operating for less than 30 years, is due to close in July 2026.

The University of Sunderland, which is the NGC's custodian, has blamed unaffordable repair costs for the decision.

Campaigners have disputed the accuracy of the estimated repair bill.

There have also been claims there is a "rush to demolish" the building so the land could be sold to a housing developer - which university vice-chancellor Sir David Bell has denied.

The National Glass Centre will close in July 2026

"The clock's ticking for the Glass Centre," Wilson said.

"This is about civic pride, this is about Sunderland's cultural offer, the tourist economy, if you like.

"It's an important thing for the city. It can't go away without at least having a public discussion about it and the university explaining their rationale."

Wilson added developments in the city centre should not be "tarnished" by what was happening with the NGC.

"There's alternative uses for the Glass Centre building. They should be considered. But nobody wants to know an alternative use."

Wilson said his resignation at the end of the month would trigger a by-election, in which he planned to run as an independent.

He said that if the party lost the vote in his ward, which has historically been Labour, local leader Michael Mordey should resign because a defeat would be a "massive vote of no confidence in the leadership".

"If they care about the people of Sunderland, this is their chance to show it," Wilson said.

"They should call a meeting, not put them through an unnecessary by-election."

Sunderland Labour Group said the decision to close the NGC was made by the University of Sunderland.

A spokesperson added: "We have worked with the community every step of the way, and will continue to do so as this project continues.

"£5m has been secured from Arts Council England to develop the plans for Glassworks Sunderland and...there is a genuine commitment from the organisation to involve the glass-making community in developing those plans to ensure the new facility builds on the proud 1,350 year legacy of glass-making in Sunderland."