The Vision

The vision is to create a Music, Arts and Cultural Quarter (MACQ) in the centre of Sunderland that will restore an important section of the city, re-establishing the area's previous importance as the Edwardian heart and soul of the city.

The MACQ will encompass a series of fine buildings all built in Sunderland's heyday in the early 1900s. Within the quarter will be the already successful Empire, the Dun Cow and the Londonderry pubs but over time we will develop entertainment, arts and cultural uses for the Old Fire Station, Gilbridge House and the Magistrates Court. Our proposal also seeks to include the area between these buildings currently used as car parks. These areas will be the location for a new auditorium and performance space. 

The development will be in three main phases:

• 2014 The purchase and refurbishment of the Dun Cow, the city's finest Edwardian pub returning it to its former glory
• 2016/17 The Restoration and conversion of the Old Fire Station into a Music, Arts and Creative hub and Performance Venue.
• 2018/19 Development of a new auditorium adjacent to the Fire Station.