Since day one Sunderland's Business Improvement Districts have worked tirelessly to make the city a great place to live, work, visit and do business.
The organisation – which now comprises the City Centre BID, the Seafront BID and also covers the popular Sheepfolds – is well known for large scale events such as Restaurant Week, Urban Fest, The Food and Drink Festival and a whole host of other crowd-drawing initiatives.
Along with finding ways to bring people into the city, supporting businesses and helping them to thrive and grow has always been a key component of the BIDs’ agenda.
It has achieved this in numerous ways – from using its street ranger team to make Sunderland look more inviting and attractive to running business breakfasts and lunches where people can network and hear from relevant and inspirational speakers to providing organisations with opportunities and a voice.
And now the BIDs have taken their commitment to businesses one step further, by setting up the Foundational Businesses Academy to help small, independently owned enterprises prepare for what the future has to offer.
“There’s no doubt that we are entering a very exciting time for the city,” said Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland’s BIDs.
“Developments such as the new eye infirmary, the opening of Culture House and Sunderland’s continued presence in the Premier League will all bring more and more people into Sunderland – so it’s important that we are ready for this extra footfall and their requirements.”
With that in mind, the BIDs launched a new initiative in December 2025 – the Foundational Businesses Academy.
Run by retail expert, Karen Williamson, this bronze level course – which comprised of a number of masterclasses around particular subjects – aimed at helping these independent businesses prepare for the future.
Seventeen businesses in all signed up to take part, committing to a number of workshops where subjects covered included everything from cashflow management to managing best sellers and supply chain, strategic pricing and margin management, cutting overheads and how to reduce waste across the business.
And for those who committed to the Academy, the outcomes have been truly lifechanging.
“The aim was to look at each business and give them the tools to grow successfully,” said Karen.
“Through the work we did we had one company found that they were owed £11k in invoices which seemed to have slipped through the net – a very welcome finding at a time of year when money can be tight – while another recognised through taking part in the Academy that their profit margins were too low.”
At the heart of the Academy however was to show how important it was not just to work in the business but to work ON it – to plan for the future and be more strategic.
The companies which took part were from a range of backgrounds – from hospitality to retail.
Without exception every single participant praised the positive effect the Academy had on their business, helping them to move forward and take a long, hard look at what they could do better.
“We’re no longer being busy fools,” said Angela Tsang, owner of the popular Beach House in Sunderland.
“We have learned how to work on our businesses and really look at how we can create for future success.”
The bronze course culminated in a special celebration at the Sheepfolds where guests and participants heard from a panel of experts including Dame Irene Hays of Hays Travel, Sunderland University Chancellor and former CEO of Bravissimo Leanne Cahill and Helen Milford, on the board of both Sunderland University and Hays Travel and who also has years of experience in retail.
At the same time the participants of the course showcased what they had learned and how valuable all the sessions had been to their businesses.
The success of this course means the plan is now to run both silver and gold academies, which will look at dealing with people management and personal behaviours.
“Everyone who took part will definitely sign up for the future,” said Nicola Vallely, owner of Vallely’s wine bar.
“The Academy has given us all a clearer direction, more confidence and has taught us control of our businesses.”
sunderlandbid.co.uk