ot sunderland port

Surely this is good news if they can start to build the port up.



HUNDREDS of Nissan cars have been shipped out of Sunderland for the first time in 26 years in what is being seen as a major coup for the city’s port.

The car giant carried out a trial run during which 600 Qashqais were loaded on to a ship destined for Russia.

Nissan usually exports vehicles from its Washington factory through the Port of Tyne in South Tyneside.

However hopes are high the test-run could lay the foundations for more Sunderland-built cars to be exported from the city.

Last week, the Echo saw the trial being carried out at Corporation Quay in the East End of the city centre.

The left-hand-drive cars were loaded onto a vessel named “Baltic”.

It is hoped the trial could ultimately lead to a boost for Sunderland’s economy.

A spokeswoman for Nissan confirmed: “We are running a trial from the port on a shipment just as a test to see how things work.”

Both Port of Sunderland and the Port of Tyne, in South Shields, are roughly six miles away from Nissan’s Washington plant.

Should regular exports be made from Port of Sunderland, it would mark a huge improvement in its fortunes.

After turning a profit in 2007/08, it fell back into relying on subsidies from the city council in subsequent years.

Earlier this year, the Echo reported that the business is now set to be back in profit by the end of 2012/13, after seeing a growth in trade.

Director of the authority Matthew Hunt, a former commercial director at Port of Tyne, has been credited with being a key figure in its upturn in fortunes.

The port, which is the UK’s second-largest municipally owned port, currently deals with forest products, steel, aggregates and oil.

It also caters for ship repair, marine engineering and dry-docking facilities.

Dr Mick Thurlbeck, a former head of the Sunderland branch of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said regular transportation of Nissan vehicles could be of huge benefit to the city.

He said: “I think it would be great news if they can use the port to export cars.

“If it happens it is only going to bring more outside investment into the port as well.

“We might even start getting goods imported from European suppliers too.”

The latest development follows a high profile few weeks for Sunderland’s once crisis-hit port.

As part of her Diamond Jubilee visit to the city this month, the Queen stayed overnight in the Port on board the £50million super-yacht the Leander G.

Port of Tyne exported 667,000 cars last year including models by Nissan, Volkswagen and other manufacturers.

In May, it announced record financial results, including a £9million profit.

Port of Tyne and Sunderland Council both declined to comment on the trial.

 

Read this in the echo last night. About time!

 

What could this master plan be?



SUNDERLAND City Council has spent about £1.6million to secure a prime seafront hotel site.

The authority has bought The Pullman Lodge, in Whitburn Road, Seaburn.

It sits alongside the Seaburn Centre and empty funfair sites, which are already council owned.

The Echo understands that the plan is to redevelop that area of the seafront.

About 20 people who worked at The Pullman Lodge have lost their jobs as the building sits empty, as do the two railway carriages outside – previously put up for auction on the internet.

The location is now being advertised to let by the council.

It had been taken over by 
financial specialist PricewaterhouseCoopers, after Wearside-based owner Wylam Leisure fell into administration more than a year ago.

The Wylam group retained the now-closed Glass Spider, although it still operates Ttonic and Cheers in High Street East.

Ex-boss Tony Griffiths today criticised the council for buying The Pullman Lodge, and admitted the company tried to get it back.

“It’s a total waste of public money,” he said.

“We did try and buy it back but the council made such a crazy offer that nobody could get anywhere near it.

“Our bid was £700,000 and the council have paid £1.6million for it.

“It’s an absolute disgrace. But nothing will happen to them, they will still get voted in.”

Mr Griffiths added that he feels the council should not be buying venues such as the Pullman Lodge, but instead allow private businesses to compete for them.

“They have paid nearly three times what the highest bid was,” he said.

“They have destroyed the city centre.

“They came up with a masterplan for Holmeside and the Vaux site, but they need to leave things to the private sector.”

A spokesman for the council said: “The council recognises that Roker and Seaburn have a key role in providing cultural tourism attractions for the city and following extensive public consultation the Seaburn Masterplan was agreed in July 2011.

“The masterplan will guide the comprehensive development of the seafront and it identifies the Pullman Lodge site as being a key location if long term development ambitions are to be achieved.

“The company which owned the premises went into administration in 2011 and the premises were put up for sale by the administrators.

“This enabled the council to acquire the property so as to ensure that the comprehensive redevelopment of the area, including the Pullman, can be delivered.

“Together with adjacent ownership, this purchase greatly enhances the ability to deliver the regeneration aspirations of the Seaburn Masterplan.

“It is understood that there were several bidders and the council is satisfied that the price paid represents value for money.

“Prior to the council seeking a development partner, to deliver the overall regeneration of the area, a short-term lease is in the process of being granted for the building which will enable it to be used until it is required for redevelopment.”

 

They should have been exported there from the word go, but if they are going to be all exported from Sunderland in the future it will be a case of better late than never..