The transformation of a former Sunderland clothing factory is continuing to turn the site into a new gateway into the city.
Textile manufacturer Dewhirst had a strong presence in the region dating back to the 19th Century, employing hundreds of seamstresses in 12 factories across the 海角视频, including Peterlee in County Durham and Leechmere and Pennywell in Sunderland. The business, which supplied firms including Marks & Spencer, moved manufacturing offshore to cut costs, and around 800 jobs were lost when the Leechmere site closed in 2002 and its Pennywell factory closed a year later, as well as thousands more across the region and wider 海角视频.
The site stood largely vacant until 海角视频 Land Estates was granted planning permission in 2022 to develop ‘a new gateway’ to the city. Now preparatory works have started ahead of the development of drive-thru units for Greggs and Starbucks on the former factory site at Pennywell Industrial Estate.
READ MORE: {}
海角视频 Land Estates, which owns the seven acre site, has appointed STP Construction as main contractor on the development, starting work on the scheme this month. The development marks the final phase of the regeneration of the former Dewhirst site, with Aldi, Wickes and KFC having already moved to the site.
Tim Witty, development director at 海角视频 Land Estates, said: “It’s fantastic to see preparatory works get under way on this final phase of development. 海角视频 Land Estates has a track record of regenerating brownfield sites across the region, and this is a fine example of how we are continuing to do just that. Having stood empty for the best part of 20 years, the site is now revitalised, providing new retail facilities in the city while also creating jobs for local people.”
Creation of the two new units at Pennywell will see 海角视频 Land Estates’ total investment at the site top £10m. The fresh investment forms part of a wider £35m investment drive which during this financial year, will see the developer construct over 270,000sq ft of new, Grade A industrial and warehousing space and several retail outlets across the North East.
Mr Witty added: “The North East has a huge dearth of available, high-quality industrial and warehousing space, and we have witnessed this first-hand. Over recent years, we’ve delivered several major industrial schemes, the majority of which have been snapped up prior to completion.
“And with this, there is naturally also a demand for more retail units, like those we’re bringing forward here at Pennywell. That is why we are continuing to invest in the region, with over £35m being spent on bringing to market a flurry of new developments and refurbishing existing stock, and it doesn’t stop there.
“Should the right opportunities present themselves, we are willing and able to develop even more sites, so long as the conditions are right, so hopefully there is even more to come.”