Sunderland's former Nightingale vaccination centre to become part of £1bn electric automotive ecosystem

A manufacturing facility in Sunderland has been brought to market and is set to return to its intended use after serving as the North East’s Nightingale Hospital for 18 months.

A Sunderland City Council-owned facility, Unit 6, which stands on International Drive at the International Advanced Manufacturing Park will be vacated by April 2022, ready for a new occupier by summer.

The 124,976 sq ft detached facility was constructed with the original intention of housing training facilities to boost the region’s role in the electrification of the automotive industry.

The building will stand alongside Envision AESC’s new Gigafactory, planning permission for which was granted earlier this year, a cornerstone of Nissan 36Zero EV Hub, a £1bn new ecosystem that “puts Sunderland at the heart of Europe’s electric revolution”.

Peter McIntyre, executive director of city development at Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re pleased to be bringing this exceptional building to the market.

“Having supported the national effort to tackle Coronavirus, it is now set to boost the region’s economic health by driving forward IAMP, a nationally significant development and part of a wider network of automotive hubs in the city.

“It’s an impressive space and we look forward to seeing it in use in the New Year.”