On 11 March 2026, the Sunderland BID reported that a digital support service has helped local independent shops increase their sales and attract more customers in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. This service has been running for exactly one year and was designed to help smaller businesses improve how they use the internet and technology to reach more people.
The initiative provides digital business support and training to help shop owners build their online presence and improve their digital skills. This work is often done in partnership with local organisations like Sunderland Software City to ensure traders have the right tools to grow.
Independent shops that used the service have seen a clear increase in their sales and the number of shoppers visiting in person. The BID says this success shows how digital tools can help traditional high-street businesses do better and stay busy.
This programme is part of a wider effort to help local traders reach more customers and adapt to how people shop now. By providing this technical help, the organisers are working to keep the city’s economy healthy and ensure smaller traders can remain competitive.
