Online voices

Former Ann Summers Sunderland store is set to be transformed into a nail salon under new plans

Kev Miller:

This town is knackered! All its got is pawn shops, cafes, charity shops, takeaways and nail bars. When Debenhams goes, Jacky White's market is gonna be the number one department store.

Connie Ferguson Trow:

There is too many nail bats to start with sunderland councils needs to reduce rents so small shops have a chance x

Lesley Cook:

Too many as it is. Pubs, Bookies, Nail bars and Charity Shops. I love my city but better planning to bring in a range of retailers including lower rates for start ups could help.

Kath Willcock:

They need to lower the rents and fill our town with decent shops. It’s an absolute disgrace at the minute not worth the journey into town. No the wonder people turn to internet shopping !

Bev Franklin:

It used to be a fruit & veg shop a few years back, my mother went in for a cauliflower without realising..she’s still in therapy.

Joan O'Neill:

Another nail bar, where has the vision in Sunderland gone. Nail bars, pound shops & charity shops AND ridiculous parking chargers are doing nothing to bring people to town. Such a sorry sight.

Diane Lundy:

we had lots of nice shops in the 1960s it was a pleasure to go to the town but not any more

Bryan Watts:

The empty units should be used as temporary pop up shops for small local independent businesses to trade in for a couple of weeks or months at a time at reduced rents to encourage trade.

Karen Coates:

I don't imagine there's a queue at the door for people wanting to take this unit over. Sunderland no different to many other towns and cities struggling for footfall. Are people so daft to think big stores are going to come here when shoppers have metrocentre and Newcastle on their doorstep, as well as the internet? Good luck to this new business giving something a go.

Trish Robson:

Sunderland since it became a city it's gone downhill never seen so many charity shops or takeaways in the years I've lived in Sunderland I was born hear and I'm 62 now xxx

Ursula Hindmarch Godfrey:

How many nail bars does this town need. No wonder people go to Newcastle and the Metro Centre as well as free parking at Metro Centre

Julie Jacob:

Sunderland is a ghost town and it’s such a shame because I love living here but there’s no shops left what on earth does the future hold