University puts glass centre equipment up for auction

Nearly 200 pieces of equipment from the closed-down National Glass Centre (NGC) are set to be auctioned off.

Items from the Sunderland venue, which shut in July, include glass kilns and furnaces and are going under the hammer between now and 12 November.

The equipment is owned by site custodian Sunderland University, which said the open online auction would provide a "fair and transparent opportunity" for interested buyers.

"Specialist equipment will be donated to another charitable organisation, Sunderland Culture, for use in the planned Glassworks Sunderland project and to establish glassmaking facilities for artists in the period before the new facility opens," a spokesperson said.

The glass centre shut down after custodian Sunderland University said it needed significant remedial work at a cost of between £14m and £45m.

Campaigners have disputed the accuracy of the repair bill.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed the vacant building would be fenced following a number of attempted break-ins.

The hoardings are allowed to stay in place for three years.

It comes as Sunderland City Council's Reform UK cabinet recently agreed to pursue an Article 4 direction.

Once it is formally in place, it will force the university to submit a planning application for any demolition of the site.

The university has said it continues to follow "all planning rules and guidelines" in relation to the building.

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