City centre deserves M&S store, councillor says
Sunderland City CouncilPlans for a £15m retail development featuring an M&S Foodhall will not fix the damage caused by the chain closing its city centre store, a councillor has said.
The new site, which includes an Aldi and Starbucks drive-through, is set to be built on land at Silksworth Lane in Sunderland.
Labour councillor Kevin Johnston said the retail park would enhance the local area and "serve new communities" built in the south of the city.
But local Liberal Democrat leader Paul Edgeworth said the city centre "deserves" an M&S store, and building one out-of-town would not replace the loss of footfall following the closure of the High Street West site in 2024.
"People won't forgive the council if they have once again prioritised out-of-town shopping instead of attracting people in the city centre," he said.
"Sunderland needs and deserves an M&S in the city centre as well as this new foodhall in Silksworth."
Sunderland City CouncilJohnston said many residents would be delighted by M&S's plans to open another store alongside its Washington branch.
"Complemented by a new Aldi and a Starbucks, this new offer will enhance the retail provision in the local area and serve new communities that have taken shape in Sunderland South where thousands of homes have been built in recent years, allowing residents to enjoy greater choice when it comes to where they shop," he said.
Sunderland Conservatives leader Antony Mullen said while residents would welcome the opening, they would also have concerns about traffic.
"Like them, we have concerns about the impact upon the highway network, as Silksworth Lane already has huge congestion issues and safe pedestrian crossing is at times impossible," said Mullen.
"We would like to see the council and the developer work together to resolve these issues."
The retail development will also include a car park, pedestrian links to bus stops and a pedestrian crossing.
A formal planning application has yet to be submitted by developer PRZM Real Estate but is expected to go before the planning committee during the first half of 2026.
Planning consultancy firm Lichfields has sought feedback on the early plans and residents have until 12 January to share their views.
