Plans have been lodged to transform the former Oddfellows Arms public house, located off North Ravensworth Street in Sunderland, into a convenience store. The application, submitted to Sunderland City Council's planning department, seeks permission to change the use of the ground floor from a pub to a retail outlet. If approved, the store, tentatively named 'Oddfellows Premier,' is expected to create three full-time jobs.
Background and Licensing Approval
The change-of-use application follows a recent licensing hearing on 15 June 2026, where Sunderland City Council's licensing sub-committee granted permission for the sale of alcohol between 7am and 11pm. The decision came despite six formal objections from local residents, who raised concerns about potential increases in antisocial behaviour, littering, noise, and traffic congestion.
During the hearing, the applicant assured the committee that the store would be "a professionally managed convenience store serving the local community" and emphasised a commitment to "being a good neighbour." Both Northumbria Police and the council's environmental health department raised no objections after agreeing on additional operating conditions with the applicant.
Proposed Store Details
The convenience store is planned to stock a range of goods, including groceries, confectionery, alcohol, tobacco products, pet food, and household items. The proposed trading hours are 7am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am to 9pm on Sundays, as outlined in both the planning application and proposed signage.
Next Steps
While the licensing application has been approved, planning consent is still required before the conversion can proceed. A decision on the planning application (reference 26/01323/FUL) is expected after a public consultation period. Further details can be found on Sunderland City Council's planning portal.
