Sunderland AFC shop returning to The Bridges as city-centre unit prepares to open | OneFootball

A Sunderland AFC club shop is returning to The Bridges, with signage installed on 28 May and an opening date to be announced.

According to Sunderland Echo, the unit is the former Fashion Bible site opposite Next. The return comes after the Black Cats’ 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday clinched seventh place in the Premier League and a Europa League berth, the club’s first European campaign in more than 50 years.

Qualification is expected to bring greater exposure for the club, the city and the wider region, with at least eight extra games, including four at home, and more money spent locally. Hotels have reported more overnight stays and longer visits, and matchdays are increasingly full-day economic occasions. The city will look to build on the momentum.

There have been pop-up stalls in recent years, but this will be the first dedicated city-centre store since the Debenhams concession closed. In summer 2024, the club opened a new store in Black Cat house, and previously ran outlets at The Galleries in Washington and at The Bridges.

The new city-centre shop, operated with Fanatics, will also create jobs, with an assistant manager role already advertised to start in May / June this year.

Source: Sunderland Echo