Tag: sunderland

Sunderland Urged To Shop Locally For Small Business Saturday

By on 4th December 2015in Local Biz

Shoppers in Sunderland are being urged to back local businesses and search for seasonal bargains closer to home…

Small Business Saturday, which runs nationwide on December 5th, is designed to raise awareness of small companies, including retailers, and help boost their footfall by encouraging more people to shop locally.

Sunderland’s Business Improvement District, Experience It Here, is backing the Government initiative, and urging the city’s residents and visitors to show their support on the day and beyond.

Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, said: “There are a whole host of small and independent businesses in Sunderland, offering a wide range of amazing products, as well as outstanding levels of customer service.

“We hope that Small Business Saturday will help these retailers to step out of the shadows left by larger stores and household names, as well as encouraging more people to utilise them for their Christmas shopping.”

Small Business Saturday, which was first developed in the US, has been running in the UK for the past three years, with more than five million businesses expected to be involved in 2015.

It is being supported by Sunderland BID as part of a series of events designed to attract visitors to the city during the busy Christmas period.  This also includes the creation of a magical Frost Village around Keel Square, featuring an ice rink, market and fun fair.

For more information visit www.sunderlandchristmas.co.uk.

Sunderland Catering Company Serve A Sneak Peek Of 2016

By on 3rd December 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

A North East catering and events company has been serving up a sneak peek of 2016…

1879 Events Management, which manages functions and food at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, Sunderland, hosted a special showcase evening to preview its plans for the coming year.

Guests at the event, including members of SAFC’s first team and business leaders from across the region, were given the chance to meet with many of the company’s top suppliers, including Bidvest Foodservice and Molson Coors, while also sampling dishes from its new set menus.

This included canapes, curries, shin of beef and spicy chicken wings, which will all be available for private and corporate events at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, as well as via 1879’s external catering operations.

The showcase evening, held in a marquee at SAFC’s Academy of Light, also offered guests an early opportunity to learn more about the new Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, opening adjacent to the Stadium of Light in April 2016.

The site, which is currently under construction, will boast 141 bedrooms, a destination grill restaurant, private dining areas, meeting rooms and a 24-hour business centre.

It is expected to offer a number of packages for businesses delegates, as well as football fans and those attending events at the Stadium of Light, including a performance by music superstar, Rihanna, who returns to the venue as part of her Anti World Tour in June.

Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director for 1879 Events Management, said: “2016 looks set to be an amazing year for 1879 Events Management, particularly with the launch of the new Hilton Garden Inn Hotel and high profile events like the return of Rihanna.

“The VIP showcase evening was an ideal opportunity for us to give new and existing clients an opportunity to learn more about these exciting developments and to see how working with companies such as Bidvest and Molson Coors has contributed to our ongoing success.”

Since launching in 2012, 1879 Events Management has been awarded several major contracts, including taking over the catering and event operations at National Glass Centre and the Stadium of Light.

The company, a specialist subsidiary of SAFC, has also launched its own beachside bistro, The Beach House at Roker, and worked on a number of high profile events across the North East, including multiple business awards and festivals such as Newcastle Pride.

For more information about 1879 Events Management visit www.1879events.com, call 0871 911 1269, email info@1879events.com or follow @1879Events on Twitter.

Additional details can also be found by visiting www.thestadiumoflight.com and www.nationalglasscentre.com/hire/.

Rihanna Tickets On Sale From Thursday

By on 1st December 2015in Entertainment, Events, Music

Thursday 3rd December will see fans of global superstar Rihanna given the chance to secure tickets to see her live on Wearside…

Sunderland’s Stadium of Light is set to host the Bajan star on the UK leg of her ANTI World Tour on Saturday 18th June 2016, and is the only stadium venue between Coventry and Edinburgh on the hotly anticipated tour.

Supporting Rihanna on the tour will be The Weeknd, whose album Beauty Behind The Madness reached number 1 in the UK charts, and American rapper Big Sean.

Fans can buy tickets in person from the Stadium of Light box office from 9am on Thursday morning. A limited allocation of General Admission (GA) tickets, affording pitch standing/unreserved Tier 1 seating is available.

Reserved seating tickets can only be purchased through approved ticket agents (listed below). Fans are advised that tickets cannot be purchased from SAFC’s telephone hotline or club website.

Fans who wish to queue to ensure they get their tickets can do so from 6am on Thursday, with the ticket office opening at 9am. No overnight queuing will be permitted. Fans who do not wish to purchase their tickets in person can do so via the official ticket websites and phone lines listed below.

SAFC’s commercial director, Gary Hutchinson, said: “Rihanna has created a real buzz surrounding this world tour and her new album as part of her online ANTI DiaRy campaign and we are thrilled to be a part of it. There has been unprecedented interested since the announcement, and we fully expect this concert to match Rihanna’s last visit to Sunderland and sell-out, so we urge fans to secure their tickets as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.”

HOW TO BUY

Tickets go on sale Thursday 3rd December from 9am at the Stadium of Light ticket office and from approved ticket agents.

A pre-sale will be available for SAFC season card holders and official members on Wednesday 2nd December from 9am.

Stadium of Light sales information:

The Stadium of Light will offer General Admission (standing/Tier 1 unreserved seating) tickets only, priced at £55, and a limited number of Gold Circle tickets at £75. All sales are subject to a £4 booking fee per ticket (unless payment is made in cash). Tickets cannot be purchased from SAFC by telephone or online, tickets are available from the stadium’s box office to in-person purchasers only.

Please note £1 per ticket will be added onto the booking fee, and this fee will be donated to the Clara Lionel Foundation.

Ticket agents:

Golden Circle £75, general admission tickets (standing/Tier 1 unreserved seating) £55. Tier 2 reserved seats £60 and Tier 3 reserved seats £50/£60. All tickets are subject to a booking fee.

Please note that £1 per ticket will be added onto the booking fee, this fee will be donated to the Clara Lionel Foundation.

Online at www.livenation.com.

Online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 0844 8440444.

Wheelchair and special needs patrons:

Tickets for wheelchair and special needs patrons are available by telephone from SAFC, tel. 0191 551 5004 or ticket.office@safc.com.

Important information:

Young people aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged over 18, and no unaccompanied youngsters aged 14 or under will be permitted entry to the venue.

There is a limit of six tickets per purchaser in place.

Show Times:

External courtyards: 2pm
Doors: 4pm
Showtime: 6pm
Show ends: 11pm

Hospitality:

Demand for this show is expected to be exceptionally high. Visit www.safcconcerts.com, call 0871 911 1555, or email rihannahosp@safc.com to find out more information, or to make an expression of interest for our exciting new concert hospitality concept. Existing SAFC hospitality customers should contact the club immediately to reserve their package.

Hilton Garden Inn:

A new 141 bedroom Hilton Garden Inn will open adjacent to the Stadium of Light in April 2016. For more information, or to make a room reservation, call 0191 5515110 or email catherine.graham@hilton.com. Prompt booking advised.

All the latest news about Rihanna at the Stadium of Light will be available at the following locations:

www.safcconcerts.com
https://twitter.com/StadiumOfLight
https://www.facebook.com/stadiumoflight
http://instagram.com/sunderlandafcofficial
www.youtube.com/user/sunderlandafc

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New Danish Variety Store Opens In Sunderland Today

By on 30th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

A Danish variety store is hoping to get its claws into the Christmas rush by opening its doors in Sunderland today…

Tiger, which specialises in practical, fun and decorative goods (including homeware, kitchenware, stationery and toys), will launch at the Bridges shopping centre at midday today (Monday 30th November).

It follows the opening of the chain’s first North East branch in Newcastle earlier this month.

Mike Davis, who owns the Tiger franchise for the North East, said: “I joined Tiger as a franchisee in 2014, with plans to open between twenty and thirty shops across Scotland and Northern England.

“Launching in Sunderland is a key step towards achieving this target, and I’m confident the city is going to be a great market for us. Not only is there a real gap for Tiger’s type of products, but the high footfall in the Bridges will hopefully be of great value too.”

Tiger, which originated in Copenhagen, is the latest big name brand to arrive at the Bridges in recent months, with others including fashion retailer Pep and Co.

Andy Bradley, Centre Director for the Bridges, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for the Bridges and we are really excited to have Tiger on board.  With more new stores also arriving, we hope to offer visitors even more choice when it comes to this year’s Christmas shopping.”

For more information about Tiger, visit www.tigerstores.co.uk.

Further details about the Bridges, including full opening times, can be found at www.thebridges-shopping.com.

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Sunderland Tech Startup Take Their Software Global

By on 24th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

A North East marketing agency has been appointed to help one of the region’s newest businesses launch its video recruitment software globally…

Sunderland-based McDonough Marketing Communications is working with software start-up business Shine to help promote its product, which uses cloud-based video to interview prospective job candidates.

Shine, based at the eVolve Centre in Rainton Bridge, is now engaging with large blue chip multinationals, all keen to harness the power of video in their recruitment campaigns.

“I wanted Shine to think and act like a multi-million pound software giant from the start”, said Natasha McDonough, MD of McDonough Marketing Communications.

“Software for recruiters is a vast market, but I could easily see how Shine could be different.  For a start, it’s cloud based, fully responsive and candidates can send interview answers straight from their smart phones.

“Having worked with many recruiters, I know how powerful a tool like this could be in their hands – they can literally sift, score and organise shortlists from wherever they are.”

She added, “I believe Shine has an incredible opportunity, not least through tapping into the North East’s recruitment market but on a global basis, too; so I was able to identify quite quickly how we could get a full inbound marketing campaign up and running.”

Mobile video consumption has increased by 35% in the last year, and mobile recruitment is also steadily growing.

Shine was initially launched out of frustration following years of CV sifting in previous roles by its founder and CEO, David Copple.

David has been involved with start-ups for a number of years and was previously the Chief Technology Officer of Test Factory. He also held roles at Communicator while it was part of the Leighton Group, and 2Touch.

The software created by Shine can be applied to various sectors, including the contact centre market, where there is a high level of recruitment required.

“Natasha lives and breathes marketing, she’s well connected and has introduced me to many potential clients already,” he said.

“Through working with Natasha and her associate team, I feel confident that I have a solid marketing plan in place along with a powerful brand image and highly optimised website. I’m thrilled to say we’re on track to building our customer base.”

For more information about McDonough Marketing Communications, please contact Natasha McDonough by emailing natasha@mmc.agency, or calling 0191 548 3448 or 07956 165978.

Further information about Shine is also available at www.shineinterview.com.

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Drop And Wrap Service Running For Sunderland Christmas Shoppers

By on 24th November 2015in In & Around

Shoppers in Sunderland can get Christmas all wrapped up thanks to a new initiative…

From November 26th, Sunderland’s Business Improvement District company, Experience It Here! will be running a special Drop and Wrap service in partnership with National Skills Shop for Retail.

Shoppers will be able to unload their gifts at the new Elephant Tea Room, High Street West, and leave them there to be wrapped while they enjoy the packed programme of seasonal events running in the city.

This includes an ice rink, Christmas market and funfair.

“Christmas shopping can be hectic,” said Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, Ken Dunbar.  “We’re hoping that the Drop and Wrap service will help reduce stress and give visitors a chance to enjoy our events, without having to lug their gifts around.”

The Drop and Wrap service will be run by staff and apprentices from National Skills Shop for Retail, as well as several volunteers.

“There’s so much going on in Sunderland this Christmas, so it’s great to be able to provide a service that will make it easier for people to take advantage of that,” said Chris Hall, Sales and Marketing Director at National Skills Shop for Retail.

“We expect the service to be very popular and are appealing for volunteers to get into the festive spirit and give us a hand.”

Shoppers can have their presents wrapped from £2 per item, with 50% of proceeds going to charities run by Sunderland Minster.

“Not only will this service help Sunderland’s visitors to enjoy the festive season, but it will also raise money for some really great causes,” said Sheila Bamber, Canon Provost at Sunderland Minster.

“We’re very grateful to Sunderland BID and National Skills Shop for Retail for choosing our charities to be the recipients of the money that’s raised.”

For more information about the Drop and Wrap service, or to volunteer, please call 0191 649 8686.

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North East Youngsters Name Winter Characters

By on 23rd November 2015in In & Around

A magical duo, designed to spread seasonal sparkle across Sunderland, are being brought to life with help from two North East youngsters…

The Frostlings, who are spearheading a programme of festive entertainment in the city’s Frost Village, had, until now, been without first names.

But following an appeal by their creators, Sunderland Business Improvement District, the brother and sister duo have been officially crowned Frostina and Spike.

Both names were among suggestions submitted by youngsters from across the North East, with Mia McCormick and Rebecca McKitterick finally chosen as the winning entrants.

Mia, 10, from Plains Farm, Sunderland, was inspired by a fellow Barnes School student for Frostina, while six year old Rebecca, from Newbottle, plumped for Spike thanks to the male character’s spikey hair.

The pair will now each receive a free family pass to the Frost Village, where visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including an outdoor ice rink offering daily skating sessions and classes for everyone from children to adults.

Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, said: “This year’s seasonal schedule is one of the busiest and most exciting Sunderland has ever seen. Frostina and Spike Frostling will play a key part in that and we’re delighted that they have now finally been named.

“I would like to congratulate Mia and Rebecca on their winning entries and thank everyone who took part, we received some amazing suggestions.”

The Frostlings are part of a number of illustrated characters which have been created by the BID to add some unique magic to Christmas in Sunderland.

The duo will appear in and around the Frost Village, which is at the centre of the city’s seasonal activities programme, with a traditional Christmas market and fun fair also running nearby.

Christmas in Sunderland city centre officially gets underway on November 26th, with a Gala Ice Extravaganza featuring stars from TV show, Dancing On Ice.

The Frost Village will then be open Sundays to Wednesdays from 10am to 8pm and Thursdays to Saturdays from 10am until 10pm, with a Christmas fun fair on the former Vaux site opening daily from noon.

The real open air ice rink at Keel Square will offer a range of activities for all abilities including skating lessons, ice discos and skating with princesses and super heroes.

The Frost Village will close at 4pm on Christmas Eve and skating sessions for that date must be booked in advance.

For further information about the Frost Village or group bookings visit www.sunderlandchristmas.co.uk.  You can also keep up with Frostina and Spike on Facebook and Twitter.

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Extensive A690 Roadworks Begin Monday 23rd

By on 21st November 2015in In & Around

Drivers are advised to allow extra time for journeys while essential road maintenance takes place on one of County Durham’s main routes…

 

Durham County Council will be carrying out resurfacing work on the south-bound section of the A690 dual carriageway, between the county border with Sunderland and Rainton Gate.

The work will start on Monday 23rd and is expected to take six days.

During the work a contraflow system will operate on the north-bound carriageway of that section of the road and five central reservation crossover points will be closed.

Diversion routes for residents in West Rainton and Rainton Gate will be in place.

John Reed, head of technical services at Durham County Council, said: “This work is part of our essential maintenance programme which is aimed at keeping the county’s roads in good condition.

“We appreciate that this is a busy commuter route in and out of Durham and we would ask road users to be patient and allow extra time for their journeys while we carry out this work.”

Sunderland Beachfront Bistro Prepare Surf And Turf Night

By on 19th November 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Surf’s up at a Sunderland bistro as it prepares to serve the finest food from the land and sea…

The Beach House, at Pier Point, Roker seafront, is hosting a special Surf and Turf Night on Friday November 27th.

The event, devised by 1879 Events Management, will include a unique two-course menu, specifically designed to showcase fresh ingredients from beneath the waves and beyond.

This includes a salad of crab, prawns and salt and pepper squid, followed by a main course sharing platter, featuring minute steak with chimichurri sauce, piri piri chicken fillets, spicy chorizo sausage and a mixed garden salad.

The platter, designed for two people, will also include crab claws, king prawns and mussels, as well as patatas bravas or spicy potato wedges.

David Moses, General Manager at 1879 Events Management, which also manages catering and events at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, said: “The Surf and Turf Night will pay tribute to the Beach House’s seafront location, as well as the amazing array of ingredients available from the North East coast and countryside.

 

“It also forms part of a continuing programme of events designed to make eating out more affordable and enjoyable for couples and families.”

Surf and Turf at The Beach House is priced at £30 per couple, including two courses with mixed bread and olives served on arrival. A selection of desserts will be available to purchase at an additional cost.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/thebeachhousesunderland or www.1879events.com. Bookings can be made for November 27th by calling 0191 5659473.

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North East Ice Skater Joins Dancing On Ice Star In Sunderland Frost Village

By on 17th November 2015in Entertainment, Events, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

A rising North East skater will be getting the chance to showcase her skills alongside a Dancing on Ice star this Christmas…

As part of the activities taking place in Sunderland this festive season, aspiring ice skater Anna Waters will be performing with her coach Andrei Lipanov – one of the professional skaters from ITV’s Dancing on Ice – at the opening gala of the Sunderland Frost Village on November 26th.

An exciting programme has been put together by Sunderland’s Business Improvement District, which includes the creation of an ice rink at Keel Square, which will operate right up until Christmas Eve.

Andrei, who taught celebrities including Clare Buckfield, Heidi Range and Bonnie Langford for the TV show, currently coaches Anna, who is originally from Wallsend.

The pair specialise in Adagio pair skating, a highly skilled and acrobatic style of ice performing.

The skaters will launch the ice rink at a gala performance, alongside young ice skating duo, Josh and Ellie, from the hit CBBC documentary series Ice Stars.

Following the opening, the ice rink will run daily skating sessions and is available for private hire, along with a programme of activities including the chance to be coached by Andrei on various dates throughout the festive season.

“We’re so pleased to be able to give someone from the region the chance to perform with Andrei,” said Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID.

“It brings another dimension to our fabulous Frost Village and another reason for people to come and see what we have on offer in the run up to Christmas.”

Along with the open air ice rink, Sunderland Frost Village will offer a traditional Christmas market with more than 25 stalls selling food, drink, gifts and crafts and a traditional fun fair with a waltzer, ferris wheel and bumper cars on the former Vaux Brewery site.

Anna replaces Andrei’s regular skating partner, Susie Lipanova, who is unable to take part due to family commitments.

Sunderland’s Frost Village will be open daily between 10am and 10pm (8pm close Monday to Wednesday), and until 4pm on Christmas Eve – though skating on this day must be booked in advance.

Prices for skating starts from £6.50 per child and £7.50 per adult.

Full activity listings and opening times are available at www.sunderlandchristmas.co.uk.

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