Disappointment as Government refuses to step in to save National Glass Centre after campaign raised in Parliament

The Government won’t provide funding to continue running the National Glass Centre and Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art beyond June 2026, a question in Parliament has revealed.

Opposition Lib Dem councillors in Sunderland have taken the Save the National Glass Centre campaign to Parliament in a bid for the Government to step in and keep the centre in its current home on the banks of the Wear.

Lib Dem Culture spokesperson Jane Bonham-Carter took up the campaign in the House of Lords, urging the Government to provide funding for the National Glass Centre and Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art to continue to run in the current building beyond June 2026 when the University of Sunderland will close them both.

Responding for the Government, Culture, Media and Sport Minister Fiona Twycross failed to say the Government would step in and said it was a matter for the University of Sunderland and Sunderland Culture. The Minister said £5 million was being provided develop a new ‘Glass Works’ development.

But Wearside Lib Dems say the plans for a new ‘Glass Works’ development in the Sunniside area of the city would be a ‘massive downgrade’ and doesn’t have the confidence of glass makers.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat city councillor for Fulwell and Seaburn Peter Walton said:

"It is disappointing that the Government are following their Labour colleagues at Sunderland Council in deciding to do nothing to save the National Glass Centre and the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art.

“The National Glass Centre is treasured by people across the city and could be saved in its current home – all it would take is political will from this Council and this Government.

“Instead they are ploughing ahead with a new ‘Glassworks’ development even though it will be a massive downgrade on the existing Glass Centre, local glassmakers haven’t been consulted and don’t think it will work, and the Leader of Sunderland Council has admitted it may never actually happen.

“Opposition Lib Dems will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Save the National Glass Centre campaigners to are working tirelessly to get the Council, Government, University and Sunderland Culture to do the right thing and save the Glass Centre before it is too late.”