The decision by Arts Council England to award a grant of £6million to Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust towards a new auditorium -; to be built next to the old Fire Station in High Street West – is brilliant news for our city.

The venue will play a key role in the Music, Arts and Cultural Quarter now being created in Sunderland by the Trust and, I am sure, it will prove to be a fantastic asset for many generations to come once completed.

I am also delighted that the Trust is redeveloping the old Fire Station as a £3.6million arts and culture centre because, once both buildings are finished, the whole site will provide an amazing and inspiring centre for the performing arts.