Doing a roaring trade a mere six months after it first opened

A shopping complex on a Sunderland estate has proved so successful in just six months of trading that planners want to build an extension.

High Street retailers are believed to be among those eager to set up shop in the second phase of the Pennywell shopping centre.

Triumph Properties Sunderland wants to add six more units to the existing Portsmouth Road centre to meet the demand for space.

Development surveyor Andrew Temple Cox said the scheme, which could be completed within six months of receiving planning permission, was also attracting interest from the service sector.

“We have had approaches from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, a building society, and a solicitor – as well as from household names selling shoes and baby clothes.”

His firm is currently finalising plans for a single storey extension of between 8,000 and 14,000 square metres to the west of the existing development. Triumph Properties is also proposing to build a kiosk for use by a hot food takeaway – believed to be the last trader still operating from the old shopping parade, Puccini’s. The first phase of the 30,000 square metres development was official opened last August and quickly won the approval of residents.