Eyesore’s number finally up

We’re pleased to report that the number is finally up for one of the city’s biggest eyesores.

The former Savoy bingo hall on Southwick Green has stood in ruins for more than 18 months after it was destroyed by a massive blaze in February last year.

Now the eyesore, right in the middle of the village, is being cleared.

The wrecked building has beensubect of a l0ng wrangle between owner NE30 Land Ltd and Sunderland City Council.

The authority has been calling for the firm to deal with the dilapidated wreck.

Earlier this year, the firm was convicted at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court for failure to comply with its Enforcement Notice to improve the land and was fined £500 and told to pay £684 costs.

And the authority was looking at further action against the owner, who according to the council had stated that it was waiting for an insurance claim settlement.

But now work is under way clearing the site and the land has been put up for sale by an estate agent, which says it is suitable for a variety of uses.

Southwick councillors have expressed relief at the end of the saga but now inist they face another challenge – finding the right use for a prime site in the middle of Southwick.

And they’ve warned not any business will do.

Councillor Kelly Chequer said: “Recently, we’ve helped make sure that we didn’t get a car wash or an outside storage unit at the former social club site. Now, we look forward to hearing what could be proposed for this site.”

Let’s hope an appropriate use can be found for this prime site.