A chance to do the business

Today we publish an urgent call for prompt action to help businesses in fire-hit Blandford Street.

A section of one of Sunderland’s best-known shopping areas remains closed following the blaze which tore through Peacocks on the night of Wednesday, January 23, and traders say the issues over access are affecting livelihoods.

Some say they have lost up to £15,000 due to the festive lull and a drop in passing trade in the wake of the fire, while two businesses have given their landlord notice on their tenancies in the last week.

They feel Sunderland City Council and Sunderland BID, which aims to “revitalise and regenerate” commercial areas of the city, should be doing more to improve the area.

Their suggestions include creating an opening into Holmeside, smartening up the street and better communication with the council and BID – although both the council and BID say they have been in constant touch with traders.

Of course there will be a delay in getting things back to normal until the fire-damaged building is made safe in order for it to be demolished. In the meantime, the BID, council and traders should get together to draw up a plan of action to revitalise this once-important shopping area.

As the Echo has said before, this is a perfect opportunity to regenerate a run-down city centre street.

The Bridges and the Vaux are obviously important for the future of Sunderland – but areas like Blandford Street could have a major role to play in helping the city have a thriving centre.