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SUNNISIDE PROMOTED AT FRESHER'S FAYRE
Sunniside Partnership enjoyed thousands of visitors to its stand at the University of Sunderland Fresher's Fayre this month.Hosted in the ...
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WORLD CUP BID FLYING HIGH AT CITY FESTIVAL
Children visiting Sunderland’s popular International Friendship and Kite Festival were flying the flag for England in its bid to host ...
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Views sought on plans for St Peter’s Riverside and Bonnersfield
Residents, businesses and organisations are being invited by Sunderland City Council to give their views on proposals for a key regeneration...
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Vaux is a significant brownfield
regeneration site opportunity.
NIALL QUINN PLEDGES SUPPORT TO ARC’S SCHEME FOR VAUX
24/09/2008
Sunderland AFC chairman Niall Quinn welcomed a packed room of developers to the launch of the city’s biggest development opportunity – Vaux - pledging “we’ll invest if you invest”.
More than 80 potential investors visited the Stadium of Light to hear some of the city’s leading figures explain why they should take a crucial stake in Sunderland and transform the former brewery site.
Sunderland arc and its partners Sunderland City Council, One NorthEast and English Partnerships launched their search for a development partner at the event on Wednesday. Council leader Paul Watson introduced the scheme by telling developers that there was a political will behind the arc’s proposals for Vaux.
Other speakers included Sunderland arc’s chief executive David Walker, arc property development manager Michael Black and the council’s head of strategic economic development Vince Taylor.
Mr Quinn told attendees that the football club planned to build on its success.
“Vaux is a perfect opportunity to climb aboard a city that’s really raring to go and to turn a city by name into a city by reality,” he added.
“We are very happy with our investment in Sunderland. We’ll invest if you invest and I feel confident that the will is out there. This proposal for a new business district on Vaux will incorporate the very heart of the city and it is time for this to happen now.
“There is a passion and emotion required to make it work and we will be with you all the way and the same mood is there from all the stakeholders. A lot of people have been wondering for a long time just what is going to happen on Vaux. Now is the time to lift the tape up. Please join in this great spirit and lets all grow together. “
Mr Black said developers needed to realise just how important the site was to the people of Sunderland and to the future of the city.
He added: “This scheme will deliver the first significant provision of high quality office space in the city centre with the ability to create at least 3,000 jobs. It will be attractive, accessible and different and something that belongs to the city.”
After the event Mr Walker said all the partners were very encouraged by the level of interest.
“Vaux offers a rare opportunity for developers to really transform the way the city will earn its living in the future. They can see the long term potential of being involved in a project that goes beyond the current difficult economic climate,” he added.
“The reason we have been so determined to secure the Vaux site is to make sure that we maximise the economic benefits for the city. If this is not achieved then we will struggle to get the maximum investment in other sectors of the city, such as hotels and leisure opportunities, and Sunderland will again be compromised.
“Investors recognise that there is a lot of support for our scheme at local, regional and national level. We have Secretary of State backing and a planning framework for the city that supports our proposals. What we want now is a developer that can make this vision a reality and give the city what it deserves.”
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