Grant Tully says the trees outside his shop are bad for the business (Picture: North News & Pictures)
A man is furious with his local council for planting a tree outside his shop which he claims could put him out of business.
Tully’s, which sells sewing machines, has been based in Sunderland for more than half a century.
Trees were planted outside the shop on May 4 as part of a ‘bus rationalisation project’ which aims to make the city centre more bus-friendly.
But Grant Tully, who runs the store, has demanded Sunderland City Council rethink the plan.
He says a tall cherry blossom tree – which stands at 2.5 metres tall – puts people off entering.
Grant said this will be replaced by a similar young tree, but he has concerns because this will eventually grow too.
He says the foliage blocks the signage which he recently bought.
Grant said: ‘When I discussed this with the council, they originally said the trees could go anywhere and that they had been put in the plans to make the drawings look good. They would decide later where to put the trees.
The three stands around 2.5 metres in front of the shop (Picture: North News & Pictures)
‘But the trees are blocking our signage. If people can’t see your business you’re not going to last very long.
‘They’ve agreed to replace the trees. But they’re going to replace them with the same type of trees, just younger. A young tree is soon going to mature into the same size as this. I’ve read that the foliage will be about three metres diameter.
‘They’re clearly going to get out of hand. I think they could put us out of business.’
In a statement Sunderland City Council said: ‘We are aware of Mr Tully’s concerns and are in an open dialogue with him.
‘The trees have been planted as part of the Holmeside bus rationalisation project, which commenced construction in November 2022. It forms part of a £4.6million initiative aimed at improving the city centre.
‘Trees in cities have been shown to bring many benefits such as helping to filter pollutants and improving air quality.’
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‘If people can’t see your business you’re not going to last very long.’
