Indoor go-karting centre approved for Sunderland Debenhams site
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 14:41 · Archive
Plans to convert Sunderland's vacant Debenhams store into an indoor go-karting centre have been approved, creating around 40 jobs.
Sunderland City Council has approved plans to transform the vacant Debenhams store in the city centre into an indoor go-karting venue operated by Team Sport, described in planning documents as the UK's leading indoor go-karting operator. The building has stood empty since May 2021.
The three-storey development will feature 16-kart tracks on the first and second floors, with a mini racers track also on the second floor. The ground floor will contain a restaurant area, arcade zone and bowling lanes. The project is expected to create around 40 full-time equivalent jobs.
Court planners deemed the proposal acceptable, with approval granted on 30 October 2026. The planning department concluded that noise generated by go-karting across the upper floors was unlikely to produce an unacceptable adverse impact. Officers noted the development would help increase visitor numbers to Sunderland's city centre, where the long-vacant Debenhams unit had been affecting footfall and vitality. Just one public objection was raised during consultation, arguing that Sunderland already had comparable facilities.
How it is being reported
- 40 jobs to be created as plans for new North East indoor go-karting venue get the go aheadExciting plans for an indoor go-karting centre at the old Debenhams store in Sunderland have been given the go-aheadChronicleLive · 3 Nov, 14:14
- Indoor go-karting centre plans approved for Sunderland ex-Debenhams siteAround 40 new jobs are set to be created at Sunderland’s long-vacant Debenhams store after plans to convert it into an indoor go-karting centre were given the go-ahead.Sunderland Echo · 2 Nov, 17:43
In this story: Sunderland · Debenhams · Team Sport · Sunderland City Council · The Bridges Shopping Centre
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