Gardens set to make Sunniside blossom

The completion of a stunning £2 million garden scheme in an historic quarter of Sunderland will be celebrated with a colourful festival involving almost 100 schoolchildren.

Sunniside Gardens will come into full bloom this spring and become an oasis right in the heart of the city. To mark the occasion, on March 16 from 11am to 2.30pm, the gardens will host a fantastic array of music, dance and theatre performances from local artists and schoolchildren.

In the week leading up to the event around 350 pupils will be treated to circus skills workshops. The schools involved are Barmston Village Primary, New Silksworth Junior, Hylton Red House Primary and Hasting Hill Primary.

The circus displays will form part of the open day with other highlights including seven huge, brightly coloured birds, a fantastic brass band and a fashion show staged by a top Sunniside boutique.

Businesses in the area will also be throwing open their doors to the public and staging special events.
The gardens have been created as part of ambitious plans to rejuvenate a previously faded, yet beautifully distinctive area.
Designed by Robinson Landscape Design and funded by TyneWear Partnership and English Partnerships, Sunniside gardens will offer a place for visitors and residents to enjoy concerts, art displays and pavement cafes. It will create an area for relaxation just steps away from the main hustle and bustle with dancing fountains and artwork for everyone to enjoy.

The gardens are part of a £130m vision to create a new quarter of Sunderland city centre. Overlooking the gardens are newly refurbished offices, which are part of an exciting £6.1m arts and business venture called thePlace. Occupying another prominent corner of Sunniside is ndhomes impressive Biscop House, offering 22 luxury apartments and a 4327 sq ft retail unit.

Spearheading the area’s change of fortunes is the Sunniside Partnership, which is supported by the City of Sunderland Council, English Partnerships, One NorthEast, Sunderland arc and TyneWear Partnership.

Councillor Bob Symonds, chair of the Sunniside Partnership and Leader of City of Sunderland Council, said: “The completion of the gardens marks a new era for Sunniside and the city. We are delighted with the end result and hope that people will use it, enjoy it and be proud of what can be achieved in their city.

“It is a clear sign to the people of Sunderland that we are serious about improving the area and driving the revival and future success of Sunniside.”

John Anderson, deputy chair of Sunniside Partnership, said: "The gardens will breathe new life into the area and will add vitality and interest to what is rapidly becoming a new-look Sunniside.”

Ben Hall, director of Sunniside Partnership: “The festival on March 16 is the perfect opportunity to showcase this fantastic new public space. The event is free and we encourage as many people as possible to come along and celebrate with us."