Go-ahead for go-kart plans at old department store

Plans for an indoor karting centre inside an empty city centre department store have been approved.

Sunderland City Council green-lit proposals from Team Sport to develop go-karting tracks, bowling lanes, an arcade and restaurant areas at the former Debenhams store, which shut in May 2021.

Those behind the scheme added the development would create about 40 full time equivalent jobs.

Council planners said the potential noise from go-karting across the building's upper floors was not likely to generate an "unacceptable adverse impact". Under planning conditions, the development must be started within three years.

Floor plans of the three-storey development showed a restaurant area, arcade zone and bowling on the ground floor, a 16-kart track and restaurant area on the first floor, and a 16-kart track and "mini racers track" on the second floor.

It was also noted that the development was within the S2 City Centre parking zone where parking can be relaxed and officers added the plan would meet the council's objective of boosting Sunderland's visitor numbers.

The Reform UK-led council's planning department approved the plans on 30 October, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

There was only one public objection during the consultation, which said Sunderland already had similar facilities and "does not require another".

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