Anthony Reynolds is the MD of a business that has witnessed a seismic shift in the fortunes of the city. Formed in 1860, Reynolds Army Stores – or Reynolds Outdoor Centre as it is now known - has survived two world wars and watched on as Sunderland’s dominant industries, mining and shipbuilding faded into the past.
Now, as Sunderland prepares to make its bid to become City of Culture 2021, Anthony - the fifth generation to lead the family business - talks about the impact that scooping the title will have on traders in the city.
We’ve seen the tough times at Reynolds. Some of the modern-day challenges Sunderland faces are just nothing compared to what we have been through as a city, when you look back at the closure of our mines and the collapse of shipbuilding. And for Reynolds, those changes were drastic. Our business model – supplying clothes for those working in heavy industry – basically collapsed.
The thing I think we have proven with Reynolds is that we can adapt, and I think the same is true of Sunderland. It is a city that is resilient, and tough, and one that can get stuck in when the going gets tough. But being prepared for challenges doesn’t mean that we should be blind to the possibility of succeeding.
Because we have seen tough times before does not mean we are going to have to see them again. As a small business owner, I am really excited about some of the things that I think lie ahead for Sunderland. Through the various groups I work with in the city, I am seeing changes that I think are really positive and City of Culture would come at a point in time when Sunderland is ready and geared up to succeed.
Not only would this allow us to tackle some of the challenges that still exist head-on, but it would also allow us to create more opportunities. We know from previous winners of the City of Culture title that they have seen their economy take off. That’s not just some pie in the sky thing – that’s real people, spending real cash coming into our city. And for business owners like me, that’s the lifeblood of a successful city – it’s what will allow us to reinvest and grow sustainable businesses that can bring vibrancy for years to come.
Reynolds, like many businesses in Sunderland, has been passed from generation to generation, but is still as relevant today as it was when it was formed. We are part of the culture here – and that’s what this bid will celebrate. The things we have here that are special and unique. And in winning the status, Sunderland will be opening up ‘shop’ to the world – letting them see the things we can so easily take for granted; all of the things that have helped us get through the tough times can now be used to get us ready for the opportunities that could lie ahead.
– Anthony Reynolds, Reynolds Outdoor Centre
