Plans have been submitted for the redevelopment of a historic building in Sunderland to establish a new hub dedicated to glassmaking and ceramics, following the scheduled closure of the city’s National Glass Centre. The centre, operated by the University of Sunderland and known for nearly three decades of artistic output, is set to close this week due to the need for extensive and costly repairs, with demolition planned thereafter.
The National Glass Centre will conclude its operations with two exhibitions: "The Graduates," featuring works from 52 artists comprising university graduates and staff, running until Thursday, and "Conclusion," showcasing pieces from the university’s final cohort of MA glass and ceramics students, which will end on Friday alongside the centre’s closure.
Sunderland City Council has progressed with plans to preserve the former Peter Smith Antiques building in the Sunniside area as a future home for glassmaking activities. The structure, dating back to the 19th century and once part of the Durham and Sunderland County Institute for the Blind, is slated for transformation into Glassworks: Sunderland, a creative centre aimed at sustaining the city’s longstanding glassmaking heritage.
The proposed project, for which the council recently received a formal planning application, envisions a multi-use facility featuring specialist workspaces primarily for glassmakers on the upper floors, combined with areas for public classes and activities on the lower levels. The design intends to retain original architectural elements such as exposed brickwork and stone staircases, maintaining the building’s historic character.
An emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability underpins the plan. The development includes an on-site electrical sub-station and intends to harness heat generated through glassmaking processes to warm other sections of the building, contributing to efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Tom Billington, chairman of Sunderland Culture, described Glassworks as a “reimagined, future-facing, community-driven centre of excellence” that aims to protect and nurture the city’s glassmaking skills and capacity. He noted that while the new centre would not replicate the National Glass Centre’s functions—such as hosting a café or galleries—it is intended to play a crucial role in sustaining the local creative industry.
The planning application is expected to be reviewed by the council’s planning committee in the autumn. Financially, the project has secured a £5 million grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with Sunderland Culture actively fundraising to match this amount. The organisation targets an opening date for Glassworks: Sunderland in 2028.