As part of its refurbishment, the event and exhibition space has doubled in size and new, environmentally-friendly electric furnaces have been installed in the integrated Hot Glass Studio, which can be used for demonstrations and workshops for up to 300 people.
1879 Events Management, a subsidiary company of Sunderland Football Club, has also been awarded the contract to run National Glass Centre’s Brasserie, which will include catering for conferences and events held at the venue.
The centre’s redevelopment was funded in part by the University of Sunderland and has been closed to the public since February 2013, opening in time for the Festival of the North East at the weekend.
Sharon Olver, commercial services manager at UniSpace, said: "The venue has always been iconic and truly unique, but with the improvements made in the exhibition spaces we look forward to being able to host larger events of national and international significance."
Olver added that the centre will soon be introducing corporate packages that include glass blowing.
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