The development of Sunderland's new City Hall has taken a major leap forward with the appointment of a contractor.

Bowmer + Kirkland has agreed a £42 million deal to deliver the Faulkner Brown-designed building on the former Vaux site. The new building will span 190,000 sq ft - more than twice the size of THE BEAM, the first building to be constructed on the Vaux site.

The project will provide a new civic heart for the city, allowing the smoother delivery of services by housing Sunderland City Council together with a number of other public sector partners under one roof.

The City Hall development is also set to spearhead the regeneration of Sunderland city centre by accelerating the transformation of the former Vaux site and acting as a catalyst in attracting private investment.

It is a key element of a £500m city centre vision to transform Sunderland city centre to create jobs and opportunities for local people. It will also help the city deliver on its undoubted potential as part of a wider £1.5bn programme of investment across Sunderland.

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Bowmer + Kirland's contract will create a number of benefits for local residents and companies as part of the council's commitment to its community wealth building programme. It will create a number of full time and apprenticeship opportunities for local residents and will see a commitment of £29m to be spent in local supply chains and £9m with local SMEs.

Council Leader Councillor Graeme Miller, said: "We're delighted that the contract to build City Hall has been awarded to a Sunderland based company, with all the benefits that brings with it in terms of local jobs created and money spent with local companies and in the local economy.


"City Hall is an essential element of our £500m transformation plans to create a dynamic, healthy and vibrant city centre that our residents will be proud of and will want to live, work and spend time in.


"It will help us deliver the step-change we know residents want to see in the heart of the city by spearheading change that will deliver more and better homes and jobs in the city centre, new leisure developments, a new railway station and better connectivity in the form of improved road links and a footbridge across the river connecting the stadium with the city centre plus a stronger daytime and night economy."

Paul Anderson, Project Manager, Bowmer + Kirkland, added: "We are delighted to be the main contractor on this important building for the city of Sunderland.


"This development will herald the regeneration of the city centre and will also encourage further development and investment, boosting the local economy."

Construction on the new City Hall is expected to begin later this year ahead of scheduled completion in Autumn 2021.

(CM/MH)