School Pupils Help Sunniside Look to the Future

A safe uncovered in a Sunderland house dating back to the 1840s has been turned into a time capsule by schoolchildren to help preserve memories of the area’s revival.

The safe was found in 29 West Sunniside, which is currently being refurbished to form part of a new £6m arts and business centre thePlace.

Around 40 pupils at Valley Road Primary School in Hendon have been working with Sunniside Partnership on an art project that captures the activities going on to regenerate the area. So far more than £40 million has been spent on breathing new life into Sunniside. This includes new homes, new and refurbished business space and stunning £2 million gardens.

The refurbishment of 28-29 West Sunniside is the second phase of restoration works on the street. It follows on from the £1.3m injection into reviving 30-32 West Sunniside from unused rundown Georgian terraces to new modern office spaces.

The time capsule will also contain photographs and written information to support the pictures produced by Valley Road.

Ben Hall, director of Sunniside Partnership, said: “The safe found at West Sunniside has provided an exciting opportunity to involve the local community. The time capsule will give an insight into Sunniside through the eyes of young people today.”

It is anticipated that thePlace will be completed by Spring next year, providing a range of business suites, artists studios, exhibition areas, conference/performance space and a café.

Cllr Bob Symonds, chairman of Sunniside Partnership, said: “We are grateful to everyone from Valley Road who has been involved in this project. Hopefully one day thePlace will prove an ideal location for some of these talented pupils to work from.

“thePlace will play a vital role in the continuing regeneration of Sunniside and our City overall. It will attract further investment and help to retain gifted artists in Sunderland.”