Sunderland Labour Group has intervened in the bid to save the National Glass Centre, calling on the University to immediately halt the building’s planned closure and demolition.
Councillors from the city’s ruling Labour Group are calling on the University of Sunderland to work with Sunderland City Council and its partners to review the decision-making process around the building’s future.
Labour says that, after new information has come to light from both the University and campaigners, the University must answer questions about whether the closure of the building is the only option due to its condition and is also calling on it to explore alternative viable options that might include transferring the building to a public body, a commercial partner, or the formation of a new or existing charitable trust to strengthen the aims and objectives of the National Glass Centre.
The Group describes the intervention as ‘the final throw of the dice’ before the building is demolished.
Councillor Phil Tye, chairman of Sunderland Labour Group, said: “We have limited powers as a council to prevent a private landowner from closing this building, but as a group, we have been pressing the university for answers behind the scenes, and this is the final throw of the dice to save the building.
“We have done all we can to ensure that glassmaking is not lost in the city, working to secure a new Glassworks that is able to carry on our city’s rich heritage should NGC be lost, as well as leading the development of Culture House and working hard to attract investment into the Museum & Winter Gardens, as a proactive attempt to ensure we retain a strong cultural offer in Sunderland. But this really is the final step we can now take to reverse the University’s decision to close and demolish this building and we urge them to listen and act.”
The Group is calling on the University of Sunderland to work with Sunderland City Council and its partners to engage the North East Combined Authority and Government to explore options that may save the building from closure, including the exploration of whether the Government’s new £1.5billion drive to save local cultural venues which are at-risk of closure across the UK.
Sunderland Labour Group has also called on the University to do all it can to identify any other potential funders, to secure short-term funding for emergency capital works and revenue, while an independent review into the future viability of the NGC is carried out, and has called on it to work alongside any interested party wishing to take over ownership of the NGC in an open and transparent way, with open-book access to ensure that full due diligence can take place.
“We will not rest until it is clear that no stone has been left unturned by the University,” said Cllr Tye. “Last month, the Government announced a £1.5billion fund to preserve at-risk cultural venues across the country, so we know the political will is there, however it is up to the University of Sunderland as landowner and custodian of the National Glass Centre to apply for the support and save this national asset.
“This is a much-loved building, and while we stand ready to do all we can as a council to ensure we protect glassmaking and deliver cultural assets for the city to enjoy, this is our plea to the University as a political movement to do everything in its power to do its bit for Sunderland.”
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