Sunderland Shopping and Districts

(Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, UK)

The retail opportunities in central Sunderland are certainly very good, with the best selection of stores being located within the Bridges Shopping Centre, which is located on Upper Market Square and next to the Crowtree Leisure Centre, within the recently rejuvenated Sunniside district. This whole area of Sunderland is overflowing with shops, which line the streets and include many familiar brand names.

Extended at the turn of the new millennium, more than 100 different stores are now located under one roof at Sunderland's Bridges Shopping Centre and include the likes of Boots, Debenhams, H&M, New Look, Next, Tesco, TK Maxx and Wallis, amongst many others. The Bridges has a large car park with some 1,300 spaces and is open throughout the week, Monday to Saturday between 09:00 and 17:30, and again on Sunday, from 11:00 to 17:00.

Where to Shop

Although the Bridges is certainly the place to shop in the city, close by in the town of Washington, the Galleries Shopping Centre is even larger and best reached along the westerly Sunderland Highway (A1231). Home to approximately 200 outlets and numerous fast-food eateries, the Galleries is the number one reason to take a trip to Washington and is spread over two floors, boasting favourites such as Argos, Asda, Bon Marche, Dorothy Perkins, Game Station, Iceland, Sainsbury's and Sports Direct.

The shopping scene in Newcastle upon Tyne should of course not be overlooked and this city can be reached in approximately 30 minutes by bus or car, lying directly to the north-west of Sunderland. Shops in Newcastle are based around Northumberland Street, Old George Yard and the Royal Quays, while close by in Gateshead is Tyne and Wear's pride and joy - the Metro Centre, which is an enormous shopping mall and leisure complex combined.

Information about shopping in Newcastle.