Readers welcome plans for former carpet store
Plans to open a new gym at the site of a former Sunderland shop have been praised by Echo readers for bringing a “derelict” building back into use.
Proposals have been lodged with Sunderland City Council to transform the former Storey Carpets, on Toll Bar Road, Ryhope, into a gym.
If approved, the new gym would create 14 new jobs and provide parking for its customers across more than 30 spaces.
Readers have praised the idea for the vacant site – but also called for ample facilities to be provided for children and young people, including a creche or softplay.
Other reader suggestions for the building included a leisurecentre for children and an indoor market.
A consultation period into the plan is now ongoing, with a final decision expected on Wednesday, March 11.
Here is how you reacted on the Echo Facebook page: Julie Carr :“Provide fitness
classes for parents with young children and acre chef or them to go into … when my children were young these classes were priceless at The Puma Centre Silksworth.”
Angela Finn: “Ice rink or roller skating rink and bowling alley for kids to have somewhere to go, never should have shut Crowtree Leisure Centre.” Helen Sylvia Kerr Voura:
“Swimming pools for schools and the young‘uns, get theminto sports again, out of the house away from too many internet games.”
Michael Hall: “Be right next to McDonald’s and the new Burger King and KFC, happy days!”
Jordan Wilson: “I agree they should develop something similar to the Crow tree and put a swimming pool here as well as soft play or indoor activities things.”