00:00A long vacant unit at Sunderland railway station could be turned into a betting shop
00:04under plans submitted by gambling firm Boyle Sports. The space faces Market Square and has
00:11been unused since the Southern Concourse reopened in December 2023. The applicant says a new outlet
00:18could increase footfall and spending in the station and would create three full-time and
00:23three part-time jobs if approved. Network Rail owns the station while Northern Trains
00:28operates services and manages day-to-day activity including efforts to attract tenants to empty units.
00:34Northern says it's working to secure occupiers and hopes the largest unit will be fitted out in 2026.
00:41The station also faced issues including vandalised toilets, damaged lifts and reports of staff being
00:47targeted while cleaning facilities. Sunderland City Council has discussed concerns about design,
00:53internal space and the quality of public amenities at several meetings. It's understood the council
00:59has offered informal support to Northern on marketing and letting retail space.
01:05Events such as markets and live music and the arrival of an independent coffee business
01:09have aimed to boost activity. A decision on the application is expected after a public
01:14consultation process. All consultation views are expected to be considered carefully.
01:19Some local residents and campaigners say that the proposal raises questions about gambling exposure
01:26in a busy public transport setting.
01:28The
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