University confirms glass centre redundancies

The closure of the glass centre was announced last year

Up to 25 people will be made redundant when a glass centre closes next year, a university has said.

The redundancies at the National Glass Centre (NGC) were confirmed to union members and staff at a briefing session earlier this month, the University of Sunderland said.

A spokesman said a formal consultation would begin next year.

The BBC understands there are currently no plans to transfer the roles to Glassworks, the new hub tasked with preserving the city's glass-making history.

Sunderland Culture, which will run the site, has been approached for a comment.

The facility is due to open in the former Peter Smith antiques warehouse in Sunniside in 2028.

Glassworks aim is to preserve Sunderland's glass-making history

It is understood that the redundancy figure does not include staff working at the glass centre's cafe, who are not employed by the university.

"Earlier this month in a briefing session for staff and union representatives, the university confirmed existing roles that directly support the NGC will become redundant in July 2026, when the building closes," a university spokesman said.

"Staff were also provided with detailed information about the formal consultation process, which will begin next year and the support and development available for up to 25 affected employees."

The National Glass Centre is due to close in July 2026 because of unaffordable repair costs.

The estimates, ranging between £14m and £45m, have been disputed by critics amid an ongoing campaign to save the site.

There have also been warnings that the city could lose its glass-making specialists in the period between the NGC's closure and Glassworks opening.

Sunderland Culture has previously said there would be an alternative glass-making provision in the interim period, subject to funding being secured, with details yet to be confirmed.