2025 has been a year of change at Sunderland's BIDs and now all the pieces are in place to make 2026 a memorable and fruitful year.
It’s less than a year since Sunderland BID was described in the singular, one organisation that focussed on building the city centre into somewhere that people would have pride in, would like to work, visit and spend their money.
There’s no doubt the BID has made huge inroads into achieving those aims, with an arms-length list of accomplishments which are testament to its commitment and dedication to the city of Sunderland.
Ambition could also be added to that rollcall, with the BID realising that to make an ever bigger impact it needed to join up both sides of the river, bringing together the city centre and seafront to work together as one.
And so earlier this year the Seafront BID was born, overwhelmingly supported by local businesses in the area who had seen the success of the BID in the city centre and wanted a slice of that support for themselves.
The BID had already expanded its area of operation to take in the Sheepfolds so now what exists is a huge swathe of the city that comes under one BID or the other.
For Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland’s BIDs, bringing together city and seafront can only benefit the whole of Sunderland.
“We want people to see what both sides of the river have to offer,” she said.
“And being able to use the expertise and experience of the BID team at the seafront is a very exciting prospect for everyone.”
Inevitably new challenges require the foot soldiers who can deliver, which is why earlier this year the BIDs went through a restructure, to ensure the internal organisation was fit for purpose.
One of the key appointments has been the first Head of Business Services and while it’s a new title, it has gone to someone who has the BID running through their veins.
Roberta Redecke first joined the BID in 2016 as a marketing and communications intern, rising through the ranks and holding a number of positions over the years.
Her knowledge of both the city and the organisation made Roberta the perfect choice and will see her continue to work alongside Sharon, but at the same time taking on a whole host of new responsibilities.
Along with developing operational plans, Roberta will be involved in income generation strategies, contribute to the general strategic direction of the BID along with working and strengthening relationships with levy payers and key stakeholders in the city and represent the BIDs at both local and national levels.
The new team also includes Debbie Bowman, well known across the region for her time in a number of roles with various radio stations who has been appointed as Business Liaison Officer, Chloe Kelly who has been appointed as Marketing, Events and Communications Executive and Sunderland University intern, Grace Fawcett.
The much in-demand street rangers team has also been strengthened under the new structure, with the appointment of Vincent Everett as an additional pair of hands.
For Sharon all the pieces are now in place for the BIDs to build on their successes so far.
“2025 has been a really busy year for us and a fantastic one for Sunderland with so much happening in the city,” she said.
Among the BIDs achievements were the return of successful events such as Urban Fest and Sunderland Restaurant Week, the monthly Sunniside markets and a special initiative which linked Pride In Sunderland with the retail charity sector.
The Sunderland Gift Card continues to bring money into the city and the BIDs affiliate scheme, which allows non-levy payers to become part of the BID and enjoy all of the benefits that brings, constantly attract new organisations.
Sharon is particularly proud of a recent project involving the new influx of apprentices at Nissan, who spent a week at the seafront taking part in a range of activities to inspire them to come up with concepts for possible sculptures.
Their work has been overwhelmingly special and Sharon is now hopeful that this scheme can be rolled out and create enduring art which “would be part of the BIDs legacy.”
Sharon herself continues to blow the horn for the city at every available opportunity – on both a regional and national level.
She has been invited to be the co-chair of the newly formed North East High Street Commission, which will look at ways that ailing High Street across the region can creatively come up with ways to help them thrive.
“We have had a lot of changes over the past 12 months but we are now in a really strong position and have all the key people in place to really help the BID go from strength to strength in the coming year,” said Sharon.
For more information about Sunderland BIDs visit www.sunderlandbid.co.uk