The University of Sunderland has announced that the National Glass Center will close at the end of July 2026.
The glass-making and cultural venue, which faced a multimillion-pound repair bill, is earmarked for closure from 2023.
It came as campaigners wrote to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in fresh calls to save the “world-class cultural asset”.
The government said the decision about the future of the building depends on its owner.
The building and land are owned by the University of Sunderland, which has been patron of the center since 2010.
A spokesperson said that no individual or organization has come forward to provide any financial assistance for the renovation of the building.
He said that “depending on independent advice” it would cost at least £14 million to carry out the required work, and possibly closer to £45 million.
“Without that guaranteed level of capital investment, the building does not have a long-term future,” it said in a statement.
“The building will close to the public at the end of July 2026.”
The campaign group Save the National Glass Center sent a Letter To the Culture Secretary earlier this week.
Campaigners called for an “immediate halt” to the demolition and relocation plans.
They want an independent review to consider alternatives and a chance to present their own solutions.
The letter said the closure would “end 1,350 years of glass making in Sunderland”.
