Review of 2023

As the city gets ready to welcome in 2024, the council has taken a trip down memory lane with a video charting some of the key highlights shaping Sunderland this year. 

Looking back over the last 12 months, Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "2023 has been a tremendously exciting year and 2024 promises to be equally so as our city continues to transform itself. 

"Once again, we have seen a massive amount of investment in our city, with the start of work on the new Eye Hospital, Culture House and new Wear Footbridge to name but a few, as well as the opening of the new southern entrance of Sunderland Station. 

"Nissan's recently announced plans to invest up to £3bn building three electric models here, safeguarding 6000 jobs are another huge vote of confidence in our city and the region. 

"That sense of momentum has continued with FulwellCain's submission of plans to build the largest film studio complex outside London on the banks of the River Wear, with the potential to create more than 8,000 jobs across our region over the next decade. 

"Investing in our communities continues to be at the heart of everything we do. We know many of our residents continue to struggle through the cost-of-living crisis and as a council we are doing everything we can to support them. 

"We have funded improvements to many of the parks and play areas that play such a vital role in our communities and as well as the fantastic community projects which make such a difference across our city. While funding secured from the Government has seen new family hubs providing vital support and advice to families.  

"2023 has also been a year for major events, from pop icons Beyonce and Pink at the Stadium of Light to the World Triathlon Championship Series and the Lionesses playing the UEFA Women's Nation League opener in their first home game since the World Cup final.  

"These last few weeks have also had the thrilling news that Sunderland is to host the opening game of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. 

"My best wishes go to everyone living, working or studying in our city this New Year. I want you all to know that we share your passion for Sunderland and are working our hardest to help it achieve the very best it can. While the cost of living crisis continues to impact, we are determined that our city can and will emerge to continue its exciting journey for the benefit of all." 

You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ldax7UnQlXo

Highlights from the video include: 

January  Speyside Distillers, an artisan distillery in Scotland's Cairngorm Mountains, became the latest in a long and impressive line-up of businesses to take space in the fast-transforming Sheepfolds Stables development. 

February  FulwellCain Studios announced plans for one of the largest filmmaking complexes in Europe at the Crown Works Studios in Sunderland - creating more than 8,000 jobs across the North East over the next decade. 

March  Footballing legends Jill Scott, Steph Houghton and Gary Bennett received Freedom of the City in a special ceremony at City Hall. 

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens secured £349k grant funding for urgent repairs to its roof and stonework. 

April  A massive sand artwork kicked off the 100 day countdown to the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series coming to Sunderland. 

It was all go as the new café and garden centre at the newly transformed Elemore Country Park got ready to open to open to the public. 

May  Communities joined in the celebrations for the Coronation of King Charles III at six big screenings across the city. 

Sunderland's first two Family Hubs opened in The Coalfields and Washington with three more to follow in the East, North and West of the city.  

Queen Bey put on a star-studded performance when she brought her Renaissance Tour to the Stadium of Light. 

June  Pink got the party started in style when her Summer Carnival World Tour stopped off at the Stadium of Light for two nights in June. 

Farringdon Row was lit up by the new Riverside multi-story car park. 

July  Sunderland played host to the World Triathlon Championship Series at the seafront, including elite action which saw 7 hours of BBC footage and Team GB winning silver, alongside family events. 

A new café was craned into place in Roker Park in the latest stage of £1.6m improvements to the park. 

August  Topping out of Riverside Sunderland's first housing scheme - 135 new super-sustainable properties built using modern methods of construction. 

The newly transformed Elemore Country Park hosted an afternoon of live music and free family entertainment, featuring performances from Lake Poets, DENNIS and Houghton Brass Band. 

September  Sunderland's distinctive Riverside Sunderland Multi Storey Car Park was named Best New Car Park Award at the British Parking Awards. 

Work began on Culture House, the city's new multi-million-pound world-class visitor attraction in Keel Square.  

A fan zone took pride of place in Keel Square as the Lionesses roared into Sunderland for the UEFA Women's Nation League - their first home match since taking part in the World Cup final. 

October  The Festival of Light got off to a dazzling start in Mowbray Park with stunning new lighting installations including a fairy glade with 2000 shimmering, colour-changing fibre optic lights. 

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens scooped Gold in the Visit England Visitor Attraction Accolades. 

The city was named one of the top places to invest by leading housing expert Mike Palin from Homes England who was speaking at Sunderland's Expo event. 

November  Nissan announced all three models made at its Sunderland plant will go 100% electric as part of a £3bn investment which will also see the development of the third gigafactory to supply batteries.  

TV architect George Clarke returned to his roots to help Washington New Town kick off its 60th birthday celebrations with a special design competition for schoolchildren. 

Work got underway on Sunderland's new Eye Hospital at Riverside Sunderland and the new Keel Tavern opened in Keel Square.  

December  Sunderland's new station entrance opened its doors 

Work began on a world-class Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) in Sheepfolds.  

Exciting news that the Women's Rugby World Cup will open in Sunderland in 2025 brought the year to an end.