Disappointment as Government fails to step into save Sunderland’s National Glass Centre

Liberal Democrats on Wearside have expressed their disappointment after a Government Culture Minister failed to intervene to save the National Glass Centre as an attraction in its own right.

Sunderland Lib Dems want to make sure Sunderland retains the National Glass Centre and Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art as important cultural venues.

Opposition Lib Dem councillors on Sunderland City Council took their campaign to save the National Glass Centre to Parliament where Lib Dem peer Lord (John) Shipley quizzed the Government in the House of Lords, asking what assessment it had made of the structural problems with the 25-year old building - as well as what discussions it had held with the Council and the University about securing the future of the venue.

Responding, Culture Minister Lord Parkinson failed to give a commitment that the Government would assist with funding to secure the future of the National Glass Centre as a standalone cultural venue, stating that "Arts Council England will continue to engage with both Sunderland Culture and the University of Sunderland as plans for the relocation continue to be developed."

Commenting on the response to Parliamentary Questions about the future of the National Glass Centre, Lib Dem councillor for Millfield Julia Potts said:

"Shunting the National Glass Centre and Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art into a few rooms in the University or the new 'Culture House' library would be an embarrassment - and would take away vital additional gallery and library space planned for this new building on Keel Square.

"People across Sunderland cannot believe that there are tens of millions of pounds of structural problems in a building so new. There needs to be a full inquiry into how this was allowed to happen.

"At the same time, the Council, Government and University should work together to save the National Glass Centre as a standalone attraction and culture venue - otherwise we risk massively damaging Sunderland's ability to attract visitors, provide cultural attractions for local people and properly celebrating our glass making heritage."