Council: we are trying to speed things along

Sunderland City Council says it is working with people in Blandford Street in the aftermath of the blaze - and also wants to see it fully reopened as soon as possible.

Council Leader, Councillor Graeme Miller, said: “We are continuing to talk to businesses in Blandford Street and to look at how we can support them following the fire.

“We understand the acuteness of the situation and are keen to work with them to progress things as soon as possible which is why some of my officers are meeting with them at their request tomorrow to discuss their concerns.

“We also share their desire to see the street fully reopened as soon as possible.

“From a public safety point of view this can’t happen until the building has been demolished because of the risk of it collapsing following the fire, but in the meantime we have made sure there is signage in place advising that while there is no through route businesses are open as usual.

“And while responsibility for the demolition rests with the owners and their insurers, we are also continuing to liaise with them to try to speed things along as much as possible.

“We have always had an open door to businesses and we are as keen as ever to understand how we can work together where appropriate.”

A spokeswoman for Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID) said it was not the case that its team had not been working to support businesses in the street.

She added: “The BID was on site on Thursday and Friday after the fire and the following Wednesday and have been in constant communication with the businesses, particularly those which are unable to trade.

“Everybody was given business manager Kirsty Currie’s contact details if they had any questions.

“They were informed they would be updated as soon as more information was available.”