Shopping in Sunderland

Located in Bridges Shopping Centre, Jacky White’s traditional indoor market harks back to the past in the middle of Sunderland’s most modern shopping complex. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am–5pm, the market has been trading goods in the heart of Sunderland since the 1920s and you can pick up everything within its walls, from fresh produce to jewellery to toys and hosiery. All served with the famous Wearside hospitality.A little further out of the city centre, less than a 10-minute drive from our A19/A1231 hotel, is the Washington Centre’s Arts Craft Fair. Like Etsy brought to life in front of your eyes, the fair hosts a huge variety of stalls celebrating the crafts of local creatives and artists. It’s the perfect place to scout out that unusual treat you wouldn’t otherwise find on the high street, with vendors selling bespoke jewellery, handmade cards, bags and fine home baked goods. The fair is generally held on the first Saturday of each month between 10am and 3.30pm and admission is free.

With over 100 shops, The Bridges shopping centre is Sunderland’s premier shopping destination. Welcoming over 21 million people through their doors per year, you’ll find all your high street favourites, including a large Debenhams, which has a Sunderland AFC concession if you want to get into the spirit of the city. Foodwise, you have six cafés to choose from, as well as a Greggs and a Krispy Kreme if you’re feeling a bit naughty or need a quick burst of energy.

You can also get your fill of high street shopping at Galleries Shopping Centre in the nearby suburb of Washington. The indoor shopping centre is fully enclosed and has a wide variety of shops selling fashion and accessories, homeware, tech, and health and beauty. The centre is well connected to Sunderland and its surrounding areas, with over a thousand buses a day providing frequent and convenient services for shoppers.

If you like to shop local, Park Lane Shopping Village could be right up your street. Found around Olive Street and Derwent Street, a seven-minute walk from our City Centre hotel, the compact shopping village is a bustling small community of specialist independent retailers selling unique and interesting wares. Many of the shops in this area operate under the ‘Counter Culture’ banner which customers can take as a gold standard for great customer service from a knowledgeable trader.

For those who prefer high end to high street, Flannels and Aphrodite are Sunderland’s two main contributions to luxury fashion. Flannels’ Fawcett Street establishment specialises in contemporary men’s and women’s designer clothing, footwear and accessories, selling some of the world’s most iconic high-fashion brands including Jimmy Choo, Moschino, Hugo Boss and Kenzo. Aphrodite is one for the guys – a beautiful shop with exposed brick and glasswork, Aphrodite is a relaxed shopping experience and sells a diverse variety of brands such as Fred Perry, Canada Goose, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and Patagonia.