Culture House opening pushed back to 2026

Culture House in Sunderland city centre is nearing completion

The opening of a £27m culture hub has been pushed back to next year.

Culture House, in Sunderland city centre, will be home to the city's library, an immersion gallery, podcasting studios, events venue and a sky garden.

It was originally hoped the venue would open in the autumn, but it has now been confirmed the opening is expected "in the first half of 2026".

Cabinet member for communities, culture and tourism, Beth Jones, said the venue was "progressing at pace" with structural and ground works nearing completion.

The Labour councillor said the building would be "brought to life" internally with "scores of screens in every corner".

"The fit out is therefore a really important phase of work and when the keys are handed over, the council will begin to turn this vision into a reality, with internationally renowned partners to ensure this really is a world-class place to play," Jones said.

"We expect to open in the first half of 2026."

The hub is expected to open in the first half of 2026

The development was previously discussed during a meeting of the council's economic prosperity scrutiny committee on 7 October.

Councillors were told it was due to be completed towards the end of the year, followed by an internal fit out including audiovisual technology.

Senior council officers at the time said they did not have a "specific opening date" and it would depend on when the building was handed over and the outcome of decisions on programming, exhibits and events.