A business set up to promote Sunderland city centre is shipping itself off to the coast this weekend to bring airshow visitors up to speed with its plans.
From Friday through to Sunday, Sunderland Business Improvement District will be manning a ‘pop-up city’ in a specially modified shipping container at the Sunderland International Airshow 2017.
And visitors will not only be able to find out more about upcoming city centre events and activities, but will also be able to enjoy a first-class view of the aerial action from a special viewing platform.
The Sunderland Airshow, at Roker and Seaburn, is one of the largest seafront airshows in the UK.
And along with incredible aerial displays, acrobatics, fly-pasts and vintage aircraft, there will be an equally packed ground programme with stalls, activities, food outlets and music.
Throughout the weekend, Sunderland Business Improvement District staff will be handing out flags and inviting visitors to sign up to a free weekly newsletter, keeping them up to date with city centre news and giving them access to money saving offers.
These include free takeout coffee from Holmeside Coffee, 10 per cent off at The Yorkshire Linen Company, £5 off a £20 or over spend at Big Daisy Kiss boutique at Frederick Street, 20 per cent discount on the a la carte menu between Monday and Friday at Angelo’s Ristorante, West Sunniside and two games of bowling and a drink for £5, at MFA bowling, at High Street West.
At the same time, visitors will also be able to enter into a prize draw to win an overnight stay for two at the city’s Hilton Garden Inn.Those who sign up for the e-newsletter will also be given a free foam aeroplane in honour of the occasion.
Sunderland Business Improvement District was set up in 2014 with a remit to ensure the city centre was a vibrant place to live, work, set up business and spend leisure time.
Since then it has led on a number of major events in the city and has supported many others, delivering two Sunderland Restaurant Weeks, an outdoor Fanzone to watch sporting events and the annual Christmas programme in the city centre.
And, head of business operations, Sharon Appleby, said the time is right to spread the word as widely as possible about what the city offers.
“With events like the airshow and the Tall Ships race, which is coming to Sunderland next summer, there has never been a better time to shine a spotlight on the city,” she said.
“Our pop-up will enable us to go out and about in the region and let people know what a thriving, dynamic and go-ahead place it is.”
After the show, the container will be available for use for Business Improvement District members, for everything from promotions to meetings.
The Sunderland Business Improvement District pop-up, at Recreation Park, will be open between 4pm and 10pm on Friday and 10am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.