Sisters takes centre stage with new Sunderland dance studio

Isobel and Natasha Hair, Inspire Studios

Two sisters have turned their life-long love of dance into a thriving new studio with the launch of Inspire Studios in Sunderland. Founded by Natasha and Isobel Hair, Inspire Studios offers inclusive dance classes for people of all ages and abilities from baby classes to adult sessions, private lessons and a jam-packed timetable of ballet, […]

Food and art come together for the final Sunderland festival

Lian Maltasat the Second Festival at Sheepfolds Stables

THE LAST of a trio of art events in Sunderland will end with an added element, creating a feast for every sense. Putting Sunderland in The Frame aimed to turn a spotlight Wearside’s artistic talent, to encourage the public to unleash their creativity and to celebrate the concepts of identity, transformation, location and community. And […]

High Street set for revamp

High Street West, Sunderland, set for revamp

Sunderland’s city centre is poised for another significant transformation, with a planning application submitted for the next phase of redevelopment along High Street West – an integral part of the ambitious Riverside Sunderland masterplan. The proposals submitted by Sunderland City Council, seek to revitalise the high street to create a dynamic mix of retail, commercial, […]

Laura gets women ‘doing it for themselves’

L-R Founder of SHE-IY SOS Laura Bartlett and Helen Wardropper from the North East BIC

A Wearside mother is proving women can do it for themselves after launching her own female-led DIY business. Laura Bartlett launched SHE-IY SOS in May and the business is already proving a hit, with her diary fast filling up for the next few months. Offering everything from gardening tidy ups to wall panelling, wallpapering, putting […]

£1 million funding boost for University’s skills partnership programme

Roberta Redecke, Marketing and Events Manager at Sunderland BID

A major training initiative delivered by the University of Sunderland to boost the city’s workforce is set to continue for another year, thanks to a cash injection of more than £1 million. The UK Shared Prosperity Sunderland Skills and Inclusion Programme (SSIP) will deliver £1,188,252 of funded training to upskill Sunderland organisations and employees. Over 100 fully […]