Solus takes 21,500 sq ft at Hillthorn Park

A wholly-owned subsidiary of insurer Aviva, the firm will use the property at Legal & General’s £60m business park as a vehicle repair centre.

The company, which operates a 22-strong nationwide network of vehicle damage repair centres, repairs and manages the loss of vehicles after a driving accident or incident, managing a third of Aviva’s overall motor damage claims.

This will be its first dedicated repair centre for the North East, supporting Aviva’s motor insurance customers in the region.

The centre will be operational this autumn.

Simon Smith, managing director at Solus, said: “We are extremely proud to open our new branch here at Hillthorn Park – the first site in the North East of England.

“By opening this centre, we can continue delivering great outcomes for our customers across the region, helping them to get back behind the wheel as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Situated just a short drive from the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, Hillthorn Park is being developed by Legal & General.

Once complete, the site, supported by funding from central government, the North East LEP and the European Regional Development Fund, will deliver 620,000 sq ft of industrial space in Washington, with 11 commercial buildings ranging in size from 21,550 sq ft to 124,250 sq ft.

Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for business, housing and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “Solus choosing to open its first North East hub at Hillthorn Park is brilliant news for the city.

“Creating high quality, skilled jobs for local people, it further drives home the strength of the city’s automotive industry and the appealing proposition we are able to offer businesses seeking to grow their operations in the North of England.”