National Glass Centre is still open. We want to keep it that way.
Tag Archives: George Clark
After a remarkable council meeting I thought I’d share some highlights. Cross party support for the motion requesting a more robust look at the presented documents from Sunderland University regarding the National Glass Centre and a call for compulsory purchase.
Labour representatives were reading from carefully considered scripts to spin the narrative towards Glassworks Sunderland whilst patronising us by suggesting we are ‘romanticising heritage’.
This is OUR CULTURE. This is our future. That’s why the fight will continue until common sense prevails. As proud working class people we cannot allow this top down dictatorship. We deserve our NATIONAL Glass centre. Not empty promises.
Save the National Glass Centre photograph by Jo Howell
You are invited to…
Sunderland City Council Meeting
At 4.00pm in City Hall, Sunderland on 25th June 2025
To witness the debate deciding if the Council will pass the Motion below and start the process of investigating the actions of the University of Sunderland regarding the decision to close the NGC, thereby ending 1350 years of glassmaking in Sunderland.
The Council Meeting is open for the public to attend, please come and show your support for the Campaign to Save the National Glass Centre.
Or follow the live stream of the Meeting at…
Notice of Motion – Protecting our heritage
This Council regrets the decision taken by the University of Sunderland to close the National Glass Centre in 2026.
Preserving Sunderland’s glassmaking heritage is vital to the city’s cultural offer as well as the Council’s economic growth ambitions.
The University has taken this decision due to what it claims are unaffordable repair costs and sustained operating losses. Council expresses concern regarding the accuracy of the cost estimates so far presented.
Council therefore resolves that the Chief Executive will write to the University’s Vice Chancellor with the following questions:
1. What is the scale of the Centre’s operating loss in the current financial year and the preceding 5 years?
2. Do those losses reflect the cost incurred when structural changes were made to the Centre’s main façade in 3. 4. 2022?
3. How does the University account for the Centre’s income and expenditure?
4. Will the University release all documents relating to its ownership of the Centre and confirm whether that ownership is subject to any restrictions?
The proposal to establish an alternative glassmaking provision in Sunniside in 2027-28, known as Glassworks: Sunderland, fails to address the loss of expertise caused by the Centre’s closure, ignores the economic implications for the surrounding area, and is itself only partially costed.
Council further resolves that the Chief Executive will prepare a detailed report, to be made public within 6 weeks, with the following terms of reference:
Fully explain the proposed ownership structure of Glassworks: Sunderland.
Consider whether the National Glass Centre and Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art will continue to exist in any form following the closure of the Centre Building.
Outline the capital and revenue cost of making Glassworks: Sunderland fully operational (i.e. the cost of relocating equipment, refurbishment, fitting out, employing staff) and how this will be funded.
Save the National Glass Centre photograph by Gill Helps
Make some signage or some fashion and pop down to City Hall with us on the 21st May 2025 at 5pm.
Show the love, save the national glass centre promoted by Sunderland Conservatives
What’s the crack?
We want you to come and show support for the National Glass Centre.
Make some signage or some fashion and pop down to City Hall with us on the 21st May 2025 at 5pm.
We want to save the building et al because it was purpose built for our glassmaking heritage as a regeneration project for the City.
We believe demolition is needlessly destructive and will have adverse effects on our delicate marine and coastal environment.
The most sustainable building is the one that already exists.
Add to this that National Glass Centre is situated in St Peter’s because glassmaking was known to have been brought to Sunderland and taught to others in 674ad.
That’s 1351 years of glass!
We want to save the National Glass Centre because it has inspired working class people to enjoy art and heritage. It brings 230,000 people a year and we believe it could command even more.
The National glass centre building is an iconic emblem on the riverside. A cathedral of glass. Its cultural wealth and impact upon the surrounding area should not be underestimated.
The prestige of the highly skilled glassmakers has made our city known across the world. It symbolises our rich creative past and could be a flagship of new science or technologies of the future.
This National Glass Centre of ours is uniquely Sunderland. Anywhere can make music. Obviously we’re glad that we make music too but we are about to concede to the destruction of our only internationally facing unique selling point.
Katy Wheeler has put it excellently in the Sunderland Echo read it here:
Meet us at 5pm on May 21st at City Hall in Sunderland. Bring signs!
We need you beautiful people with some hand painted signs to have a visible outpouring of public love for the National Glass Centre.
It won’t be long until the shutdown of the National glass centre begins in earnest. We are running out of time to press this issue with MPs, councillors and everyone who has sway in this City.
The National Glass Centre has over £30 million of taxpayers money invested in it over the years. This is our investment. Our National centre with global appeal.
If you can’t come in person then take your opinions and crowbar them in on every comments section of every post of the Uni and the council. Point out hypocrisies publicly.
And of course share all of our posts!
See you at 5pm on May 21st at City Hall! Bring posters, signs and righteous indignation.
On behalf of our campaign group, “Save the National Glass Centre”, we extend our warmest congratulations on your recent appointment as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. We were heartened to hear your speech at the Royal Television Society recognising the importance of the creative industries outside of London and noting that Jonathan Reynolds, no stranger to Sunderland, is putting the creative industries at the centre of your industrial strategy. As you said, “Talent is everywhere but jobs are not”. It was kind of you to mention the beauty of Sunderland in relation to the filmmaking industry, and the same can certainly be said of Sunderland’s longstanding glass making industry.
As publicly speaking out is “critical to a healthy, functioning democracy” we, the people, are appealing to you directly in an open letter…
Save the National Glass Centre
Stop the University from breaking the glass heart of Sunderland
Immediate action is required to prevent the loss of Sunderland’s much loved “world-class cultural asset”.
Our calls for action are,
An immediate stop is put to the University of Sunderland’s closure, demolition and relocation plans for the National Glass Centre (NGC).
An independent review into the situation is commissioned to establish the facts and consider alternatives other than demolition and the destruction of our internationally renowned, unique cultural asset.
That the people who care for, use, value, cherish and, let’s face it, have collectively paid for the NGC are central to the decision-making process.
That our campaign group are given the opportunity to present our evidence-based solutions which can ensure a sustainable future for our NGC, for our glassmaking cultural heritage and, most importantly, for our future generations.
Although the NGC is currently under the ownership of the university it was conceived as a public asset central to the regeneration of that area of Sunderland. It was paid for and supported by several organisations but principally British and European taxpayers. The university assumed full ownership through the collaboration of Arts Council England (ACE) and Sunderland Council.
The university has shown “violent indifference” to our exceptional cultural and educational venue and has decided to demolish the NGC thereby ending 1350 years of glassmaking in Sunderland. The decision was taken using biased, partial evidence. There was no public consultation, no reference to the fate of the complex cultural ecosystem surrounding the NGC and no consideration of the economic damage caused by the loss of the approximately 230000 visitors the NGC used to host annually (source: Sunderland Culture). Since the shock announcement 18 months ago, there is still no coherent plan to save and relocate the many and varied creative activities housed within the building, including the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art. Millions of pounds of embodied public funds will disappear if the university is successful in its development plans.
Save the National Glass Centre
We are a group of local and nationally based people with a wide variety of experiences and professional qualifications. Collectively, we believe that the NGC can survive and thrive if the community, politicians, other interested organisations and the university work together in a spirit of positive engagement to create an ambitious, sustainable future. We are determined to challenge the averted gaze and lack of curiosity that has characterised the response of the public office holders accountable and answerable for this matter. As of this date, our elected representatives, Councillors and Members of Parliament, have been unsuccessful in holding the university to account so we are appealing to you directly as a group with the backing of over 35700 petitioners from 72 countries.
As a campaign group we have assembled a comprehensive evidence base containing many deeply troubling facts and unanswered questions, and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this situation with you.
Your predecessors at the DCMS have been made aware of this matter, following enquiries from HRH King Charles and local politicians. In October 2023 Lord Parkinson wrote,
“…this is very much a live issue so we do not believe launching an inquiry would be productive at this stage.”
Do we have to wait until after the destruction of the National Glass Centre before this scandal is examined?
We await your response with anticipation,
Yours sincerely,
Signed on behalf of the Campaign to Save the National Glass Centre.
Glide around St Peters church, the birthplace of stained glass once the Romans left. Video by Phil Vickery
On a balmy summer night on 22nd June 2023, Sunderland citizens came from all across the city to St Peter’s church. This was the first public meeting of the save the National glass centre campaign. We had 30 people book through our eventbrite, but closer to 100 actually attended.
During the week I had visited Sunderland central MP Julie Elliott. I had invited JE to the meeting, but unfortunately she was busy. After an hour of conversation it was clear JE could support the fight to save the essence of glass making, but was adamant that the building of the National Glass Centre had not been beneficial for Sunderland, and that we should support the University line. I requested a statement for the blog. This is still pending.
On the day of our meeting the 20th Century Society, for the protection of at risk 20th century buildings, wrote a fantastic article in support of our grassroots campaign. More support and much needed publicity. You can read their article here:
I also met with senior management from the University to further question statements made in the report. The estates manager confirmed that recent work to remove the metal from the riverside of the glass centre had resolved structural integrity problems.
Furthermore, the services like the heat exchange, furnaces, and utilities systems are all nearing end of life. I have requested further information about the ‘end of life’ equipment. As I believe this will be a key factor in exactly what is saved.
Photograph by Chris Howson
We had a lot of passion in that church during our public meeting. Emotions were running high. The awesome setting struck a cord with all of us. How tragic it would be to end 1350 years of glass making tradition in the North East? There were tears, there was laughter, there was unity, there was outrage, and there were outpourings of love from every speaker.
Jo Howell: Photo by Phil Vickery, glass blower
I opened the evening with a brief introduction to who I am, what we’ve managed to achieve in the campaign so far, and a statement provided by Sunderland University.
See below:
“The University has always been clear that the search for a new home, or homes, is an opportunity for the National Glass Centre’s work to reach new audiences in a financially secure and sustainable manner, rather than just seeking to recreate the status quo. Such future-facing work had already begun with staff even before the building issues made clear that a move was necessary.
“We remain in active and positive discussions with key partners, including Sunderland City Council, about future site options.
“On the future of the current NGC building and site, no decisions have yet been made.
“National Glass Centre and the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art will remain open in the current building for the next 2-3 years, continuing to welcome visitors to a year-round programme of exhibitions and opportunities to take part in creative experiences.”
Katherine McLeod, Sunderland University, 22/06/23
Photo by Jo Howell
My quick introduction was followed up by Joanna Willets from Unison’s Sunderland University branch, who is in full support of the campaign on behalf of the staff; and she outlined why the unions are United with us.
Unison have put £500 into the campaign to support advertising, printouts, and other campaign costs. Joanna invited people to unionise, and explained how morale across staff in the national glass centre was fairly low due to the immense uncertainty around the future.
Joanna Willets: Photo by Phil Vickery
Chris Howson took the microphone for a moment to express how much his own family appreciated the National Glass Centre. And, he told the crowd of a successful campaign in Bradford, where a building had been marked for destruction but a community show of love turned the tide.
We will be including some of these ideas in our future events. Unity and love will be our primary weapons.
It is accepted and understood that Sunderland University cannot be expected to financially carry a building that is no longer part of their academic vision. What was very clear from the meeting was that there was a strong desire for amicable solutions that ultimately would benefit the City and the University by transferring custodianship. It is clear that the building and its contents are viewed by Sunderland University as a financial millstone.
This dim view of the National Glass Centre is not shared by the people attending the public meeting. The main takeaway being that the National Glass Centre is fundamentally, globally and locally, an important cultural leader.
The National Glass Centre was created as a beacon of hope for the people of the river Wear when shipbuilding was finally killed off. And, it was very successful in providing people from all levels of the city’s population a route out of poverty and depression.
Save the National Glass Centre collage by Jo HowellChris Howson: Photo by Phil Vickery
A lot of members of the audience wanted to share their own impassioned experiences of why the National Glass Centre was so important to them. There were previous employees, current staff, friends of the glass centre, students, family of students, cultural workers, politicians, councillors, glass blowers, artists, construction professionals, legal professionals, heritage professionals, campaign professionals, and even an ex mayor!
And, so many more fantastically useful people, all willing to help in any way they can!
What did people say at save the National Glass Centre public meeting?
The below list is as much as I can recall from the meeting. The meeting overran by nearly an hour, and there were many people who wanted to speak. Each and every viewpoint was clearly heartfelt, and many came with their own suggestions of how we could save the building and the skill set housed inside.
The building is unique, and impressive.
Glass blowing is an endangered craft.
Sunderland has a prestigious and long heritage of glass making. How can we ignore 1350 years of continuous skill in this City?
They do not want to lose an important part of their cultural identity.
They are extremely proud of the National glass centre.
The building has hosted internationally famous artists during programs like the Glass Exchange. It has a global draw, of which no other venue can boast.
It is wasteful to destroy such a young building.
There are still a lot of questions surrounding the maintenance of the building. Many noting that regular painting would have avoided catastrophic rust.
A commitment has been made by several attendees to further work on the save the National Glass Centre campaign.
Could Sunderland Culture, as an Arts Council NPO seek to take over custodianship?
Funds could be raised via crowdfunding, diversifying income streams, adopt a furnace, and/or levelling up fund (apparently Sunderland has only accessed 12% of it’s levelling up allocations).
There are concerns that the intent is to demolish one of our best assets.
If the building is donated back to the people via a suitable local organisation, all it embodies can be saved for future generations.
If properly invested in, the National Glass Centre could create an ambitious cross industry program to research the most efficient and sustainable way of making glass.
Demolition would have a high carbon cost. Can this be justified?
Other glass blowing courses and studios have closed. The National Glass Centre could have far more students, and potential hirers of equipment because of this.
It is worrisome that the dilution, and vast reduction of the current provision isn’t being questioned by more MPs and councillors.
There will be a huge loss of opportunity.
The city will lose highly skilled workers.
The loss of the National Glass Centre will effect our ability to level up.
Students are worried about being able to complete their studies.
Morale is currently low in the centre.
Questions surround Sunderland University’s proposed financial numbers in the online report. We are seeking more information.
How will our young access their cultural heritage with glass?
Worried about losing studio spaces, equipment, staff, specialists, and skills.
Inside St Peter’s church in Roker, by Phil Vickery
What happens next?
Time to organise our campaign and divvy out jobs!
Those who emailed, I will contact and organise a follow up so that we can form a crack team! With this team of knowledgeable people we will have the most effective campaign possible.
There’s still time to email if you want to form part of the steering group. Email:
Savethengc@gmail.com
Initially we will start with a monthly meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Venue TBC.
Thank you for your support. Spread the word. Email, write to, or phone your MP. Write to the culture minister. Write to Sunderland University. Tell everyone to visit the National Glass Centre to show their support. The staff need to know we value them. Without the skilled people the National Glass Centre is just a groovy ship shaped box. But with them, the National Glass Centre is something important to be cherished.
Screenshot from Instagram April 2023 showing George Clark’s support
Shy bairns get nowt!
The wonderful George Clark is an architect, a TV personality, and he was raised a mackem in Sunderland. Lots of people in the area look up to George as a beacon of success, and he still talks very fondly of Sunderland. Bearing all of this in mind, I thought I’d try to reach out to him, and a couple of other local heroes via Instagram and twitter.
So far, George is the only one to have picked up our campaign. Thank you 🙏 that doesn’t mean that the other celebs won’t jump on board, they may just need a little more courtship.
Directly because of George’s post on Instagram we gained over 100 new signatures on our petition! And, lots of people learned of the #SaveTheNGC campaign via the comments underneath.
We need champions of all kinds to help us turn the tide to save the national glass centre and the national gallery of contemporary art (situated inside NGC). We need to show that value and cost are two entirely separate things. And, the value of what we currently have far outweighs short term commercial gain.
Artwork by Regeneration North East SALT art group 2023
Once it’s gone there will be no resurrecting it. The 25 years of kudos and excellence will go with loss of the artists and the skilled staff and the building.
Sign our petition. Write to your MP. Share far and wide. Ask your celeb mates to get in touch. Send me NGC art, stories, articles, films and whatever you have. Let’s prove the value.
Save the National Glass Centre 