The opening of Sunderland’s £27m Culture House has been delayed until next year, with officials now aiming for the first half of 2026.
Culture House, located in the city centre, will house the city’s library, an immersion gallery, podcasting studios, an events venue and a sky garden. While it had originally been hoped the venue would open this autumn, structural and ground works are still being completed.
Cabinet member for communities, culture and tourism, Beth Jones, said the building is “progressing at pace” and that internal work would soon bring the project to life. “The fit out is therefore a really important phase of work and when the keys are handed over, the council will begin to turn this vision into a reality, with internationally renowned partners to ensure this really is a world-class place to play,” she said.
Jones added: “We expect to open in the first half of 2026.” The multi-storey hub will feature “scores of screens in every corner” to enhance the visitor experience.
The development was previously discussed during a meeting of the council’s economic prosperity scrutiny committee in October. At the time, senior officers explained that completion would depend not only on the handover of the building but also on programming decisions, exhibits and events. Officials emphasised that no “specific opening date” could be confirmed then.
The delay highlights the complexities involved in bringing a large cultural project to life, with audiovisual technology installation and internal fit out seen as critical to ensuring the venue meets modern expectations. Culture House is intended to be a flagship destination for residents and visitors alike, combining technology, art, and community spaces under one roof.
