Glass Centre 'open meeting' agreed after councillor's resignation threat

An 'open meeting' between Sunderland City Council's most senior councillor and campaigners to discuss the future of the National Glass Centre (NGC) has been secured.

- by Chris Binding

The National Glass Centre is due to close in July 2026.

At a full council meeting last month, Castle ward councillor Denny Wilson issued an ultimatum to Labour council leader Michael Mordey over the glass centre, which is due to close in July 2026, with owners the University of Sunderland citing unaffordable repair costs.

Cllr Wilson, who is listed as a Labour councillor on the council's website, threatened to resign and stand as an independent in a by-election unless the council's leader agreed to host an "open and honest public debate" about the future of the NGC.

The Castle ward councillor previously penned an open letter to University of Sunderland chiefs questioning repair estimates for the NGC building and referencing the university's "rush to demolish" and the future of the cleared site, which prompted a response from Sir David Bell, vice-chancellor and chief executive at the university.

In the open letter in response, the vice-chancellor said it was "simply wrong to suggest that the university's intention to close the NGC building was driven by a desire to 'sell off the land" and that the university had "not yet determined what will happen to the NGC site" but that it was "likely that the university will incur the cost of demolishing the building [...] at the earliest possible opportunity" before "determining next steps."

The old Peter Smith Antiques building has previously been announced as a location for replacement provision for the National Glass Centre, however, the proposed hub has been described as a "downgrade" by some.