National Glass Centre replacement plan put on hold

The former Peter Smith Antiques building is due to be turned into Glassworks Sunderland

Plans for a new glass-making facility have been put on hold after city councillors asked for them to be re-examined.

In July, Sunderland City Council agreed to spend £2.4m to convert the former Peter Smith Antiques Building into Glassworks Sunderland, to replace the National Glass Centre (NGC) .

But opposition leader Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Edgeworth said rarely used "call-in" powers had been used to temporarily block the plans until the council could explain whether the project represented value for money.

The council said it was working to secure the future of glass-making in the city and the call-in would be considered by its scrutiny committee in September.

Edgeworth described the Glassworks Sunderland plans as a "massive downgrade" from the NGC, which is due to close next year.

"It isn't clear that the building is suitable or that there is even enough money to build and staff it," he said.

"The proposal isn't a proper replacement for the National Glass Centre and the current plans will leave glass-makers without a home for two years between the Glass Centre closing and a new facility opening."

Councillor Paul Edgeworth said the planned Glassworks Sunderland site would be a downgrade from the existing National Glass Centre

Edgeworth argued during that time, talented artists would have to find somewhere else to work, which risked "centuries of glass-making history" leaving Wearside.

The council's scrutiny committee is due to discuss the plans at a meeting on 11 September.

Spending and decisions about the project have been halted until the committee agrees the plans.

The council said it was working with local, regional and national partners to secure the future of glass-making in Sunderland.

"As part of the council's decision-making and scrutiny process, a call-in request was made on the July cabinet meeting decision in relation to the Sunniside Regeneration Update and Sunderland Glassworks report," a spokesperson said.

"This call-in is due to be considered at a scrutiny committee meeting in September. The next steps will be confirmed after that meeting."

'Willingness to do it'

The NGC is set to close in July 2026 because its owner, Sunderland University, said it would cost too much to repair the building.

The university said the repairs would range between £14m and £45m but critics have suggested the estimates are too high.

Up to 25 people are expected to be made redundant when the centre closes.

Edgeworth criticised the lack of effort to save the NGC.

"If Sunderland Labour's councillors, MPs, regional mayor and government wanted to save the National Glass Centre they absolutely could," he said.

"All that is missing is the willingness to do it."