Sunderland City Council has been successful in a bid to Commission of Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) Sea Change for £1million in funding, matched by £500,000 in council funding, to deliver a first phase of improvements at Marine Walk on Roker seafront.  Grit & Pearl have been commissioned to deliver the Roker Pods designed by Art Gene, a new set of gates for the historic pier and an interpretation trail.

Grit & Pearl are about to initiate a consultation process to get the public’s view on what signage and interpretation would be beneficial to the area. This could be walking routes to encourage people to walk the Pier or circular routes through Roker Park and through to Seaburn incorporating an interpretation trail of the conservation area and pier.