Sadness at former M&S building demolition

The store was closed in May and remains vacant

Plans to demolish an "art deco" former Marks and Spencer store are "dreadful", say locals and veteran staff.

Labour-run Sunderland City Council, which owns the site, is proposing to flatten part or all of the building to make way for new offices and retail space.

Chief executive Patrick Melia said demolition was "necessary" for the next phase of redevelopment in the city centre.

The retailer closed the store in May because of "changing customer habits" and opened a larger outlet at a retail park in Washington.

The building on High Street West was built for the retailer several decades ago and became one of its "flagship" stores in north-east England.

Brenda Stobbart said there were many happy memories working at the store

Brenda Stobbart, who worked at the store in the 1960s, said it was disappointing that a "proud" building could not be retained.

"I think it's dreadful - it’s a lovely building, it has been there as long as I can remember," she told the BBC.

"Everybody [staff] had their own little shop [inside], you had your own counter.

"You were responsible for replenishing the stock, cleaning, and doing everything, everyone had their own little till.

"It was a proud place to work."

She said it was one of the more attractive buildings in the city, and demolition would be detrimental to the city's history.

Locals say the building is one of the more attractive and ornate in the city

The building was due to be retained as part of the council's masterplan, published in October 2020, to regenerate the city.

But as Marks and Spencer, which still has the lease until 2027, was the only tenant, it is no longer occupied.

Opposition parties have accused the council of "kicking out" the retailer to progress with the plans, a claim denied by Mr Melia and the authority's Labour leader.

Heather Fagan, Wearside Liberal Democrats deputy leader, said plans to demolish the site were a "shocking revelation" and "beyond belief".

Meanwhile, councillor Dominic McDonough from the Sunderland Conservatives - which recently attempted to have the building achieve listed status - said retail had been "almost completely wiped out" and "things are looking bleak for shoppers".

But recently appointed leader of Sunderland Labour Michael Mordey, said the plans would "better connect the heart of the city" to the ongoing Riverside development.

Sunderland City Council chief executive Patrick Melia said high streets will continue to evolve

Mr Melia echoed Mr Mordey's comments and said the council was adapting its plans following a "long-term decision" by M&S to change its retail strategy.

He said: "The world of how we shop is very different and we have to reflect that.

"What we're trying to create is a city centre that still brings us together, to socialise and interact with others, but one with new experiences."

He said there were plans to start the demolition of buildings along High Street West to continue regeneration this autumn and the council was working with developers and existing and new tenants.

He added the authority would not rule out keeping part of the building's façade, but said there was a "planning process" to go through.

"If we think there is value in retaining some of that façade, then we will do... but certainly, the use of the building and nature of it will have to change."