The Spend It In Sunderland festive campaign is launched

A festive campaign is now underway in Sunderland, backed by the City Centre BID, Seafront BID, Sunderland City Council and The Bridges.

The Spend It In Sunderland campaign is urging residents and visitors to shop, dine and enjoy leisure experiences in the city in the run-up to Christmas to help boost the local economy.

Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland BID, said: “Spend It In Sunderland is all about showing what the city has to offer and asking people to buy local when they are making their Christmas purchases.

“We have so many amazing independents for anyone looking for something different, along with lots of great high street names.

“We just want to highlight that there’s nothing better than Spending It In Sunderland this festive season.”

The campaign is not just about shopping, but also about enjoying the city’s dining, culture and attractions— including Sunderland’s new cinema, the Winter in Sunderland experience at Keel Square, and the Once Upon A Winter Trail.

A key part of the campaign is the Sunderland Gift Card, which is accepted at more than 200 businesses across the city.

The card has already delivered £450,000 of spending into the local economy.

The gift card is popular not only among residents, but also with major employers such as Ocado and Nissan, who purchase the cards as a thank you for customers and staff.

By doing so, they have the added bonus of supporting local businesses at the same time.

Karen Eve, centre director at The Bridges Shopping Centre, said: “At the Bridges, we’re proud to be part of a campaign that really captures the spirit of Christmas in our city and celebrates all that Sunderland has to offer.

“Whether it’s picking up gifts, enjoying festive food and drink, or taking in the lights and winter activities, every penny spent helps strengthen our local economy and we’re delighted to play our part in delivering a magical Christmas for the whole community.”

Cards can be purchased at sunderlandgiftcard.com and used at participating retailers, hospitality venues, and entertainment outlets.

For more information about the wider campaign and the full range of activities and experiences on offer in Sunderland, residents and visitors can visit spenditinsunderland.co.uk.