This Christmas, Sunderland’s Business Improvement District (BID) will be adding a new element to the well established Sunderland Experience app. In addition to 7 AR characters, the BID will be working with a bespoke design & display company to deliver 4 giant Christmas stockings, which will be located in local businesses in the city centre. This Christmas, the BID will also be working with Sunderland charities to help with the struggles they may face this holiday season. The stockings will display a QR code allowing consumers to directly donate. Sunderland Experience, which was launched in 2020, has gained popularity over the years with over 4,000 app users. The app houses and delivers seasonal trails, bringing a wide range of consumers from all over the North East into Sunderland. In the current economic environment, to help both the community and businesses, we have a 'Local Offers' feature on the app.

What we'll deliver:

• Identify businesses as locations for the stockings
• Purchase 4 Christmas stockings
• Identify charities
• Create 7 Augmented Reality characters
• Identify business offers to add to the app

Why it's a great idea:

The Augmented Reality Christmas trail will provide benefits to both the community and local businesses in the city centre. The trail is designed for anyone of all ages and is accessible for all abilities. It will encourage people from all over the North East to come into Sunderland city centre and hunt for both the physical and AR characters. With stockings placed in businesses, this may encourage consumers to spend more in these establishments. Additionally, the trail encourages physical movement around the city, therefore consumers will get to see local businesses, Sunderland's best loved buildings and they may stop for a bite to eat. Not only will we be working with local businesses for this years Christmas trail, the BID will work closely with Sunderland charities. This new aspect involves Sunderland's wider community, and encourages consumers to donate to those in need this festive season. With the rise in cost of living, it has never been more important to help your community.

Steps to get it done:

• Create a brief
• Get quotes for stockings
• Design for stockings
• Identify businesses, charities and locations
• Finalise businesses to house stockings
• Finalise charities to be linked with stockings
• Deployment of stockings
• App offers

All 4 stockings will be painted and link with the different charities. The painted stockings, in the display windows of businesses, will brighten and add colour to the streets of Sunderland. The trail promotes heritage, showcases the new development in the city and changing landscape. People come from all over Sunderland and surrounding areas to take part in the trail, therefore will be able to witness the changes happening in Sunderland and how the city is developing. Additionally, characters and stockings will be located all over the city centre, in heritage places such as Minster Park and The Fire Station.