A place where we can all thrive under one roof, awaited for multiple years, there’s nowhere else like it. It’s a space where everyone is allowed to exist and be themselves. Filmmaking. Media. Photography. Art. Music. Reading. Writing. It’s perfect. The possibilities are endless. Also, if you haven’t got the motivation, there’s always the bar, Blacks Corner on the bottom floor what serves alcohol all day.

Sunderland used to be a place where developments were a rarity and in the last decade or so, it has blossomed into a beautiful place, historic buildings have been restored and new buildings have popped up all over. The Culture House is the newest of them all, it has a rooftop garden where you can hang out on summers day or autumn for the warm weather we are currently experiencing. Count me in.

Inside there’s massive LED 4K immersive screens showing different scenery, if it’s quiet enough, you can hear sounds to match. It’s a real escape from reality unless you’re unlucky and there’s a school trip. We’ve been unlucky so far. It’s a magical place, full of inspiration. For me, I love watching out of the windows and seeing who is about. People watching is fun, especially if you’re nosey.

The selection of books is awesome. I have finally found a place that makes me want to read and create. I spend multiple days a week here, writing or chilling with friends. You can just set up your MacBook anywhere you feel and crack on with whatever you want to do. Nothing is off limits which is good. They even have a gift shop. I love the spiral staircase. It’s a place you want to be at all the time. There’s plenty of sockets and wireless chargers too. Everything is perfectly organised. There’s something for everyone.

The opening day which I was invited to with my family, was overwhelming in the best way possible. My Grandad, Joe Dixon, was picked to be a local hero along with many others to cut the ribbon and officially open the venue. My Grandad needed a bit of cheering up and I thought nominating him was the perfect way to do that. He has dedicated his life to local football, playing, coaching and then remembering by creating websites, then he wrote a book. Funny because I recently found out that he’s never actually read a book. He will be getting a little display soon.

I’ve found my home on the second floor, I love the books they have and it makes it a fitting place to write. They have little cubicles which remind me of school isolation. It’s a place everyone should see for themselves. Come to Sunderland.