NISSAN HELPS CULTURE 2021 BID

Car giant Nissan is hoping to add extra drive to Sunderland’s 2021 City of Culture Bid as the competition reaches a pivotal stage.

The manufacturing powerhouse has thrown its weight behind the bid as the bid team prepares to finalise its submission, having made the shortlist last month.

The competition could see Sunderland host a spectacular national cultural festival in 2021, if it is able to convince judges that it is a deserving winner, when bids go in at the end of next month.

Nissan, which employs 7,000 people on Wearside, has now added its name to a list of corporate supporters of the bid.

Kevin Fitzpatrick, divisional vice-president at Nissan Sunderland Plant, said: “We are delighted to back Sunderland’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021.

“It would be great to see a city that gives so much to the world get the recognition it richly deserves.”

Other big businesses pledging their support include Stagecoach, Grand Central, Nexus and Siglion.

Rebecca Ball, director of Sunderland 2021, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to have Nissan pledge its support to our City of Culture Bid, and is a huge statement of just how important this bid is, not only to Sunderland, but the whole of the North East.”

Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “How fantastic to see Nissan – a huge employer in the city – appreciating the benefits City of Culture status would bring to the whole region and getting behind the team at Sunderland 2021.”