North East Heritage Library
@neheritagelib.bsky.social
exploring and documenting the North East, one brick at a time (among other things) / this weeks focus: Sunderland
northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk / linktr.ee/nehl
northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk / linktr.ee/nehl
It closed in 1994 due to arson, and eventually was demolished to make way for a petrol station. Aptly, it's now a massive cinema again, though you can still hear makina when you're on the X1 to Washington
November 13, 2025 at 4:34 PM
It closed in 1994 due to arson, and eventually was demolished to make way for a petrol station. Aptly, it's now a massive cinema again, though you can still hear makina when you're on the X1 to Washington
The Rank's took it on in 1959 until 1964, and from there became the Top Rank Bingo Club. I imagine many of you will actually know it as the Blue Monkey nightclub though, the origin of makina and inspiration for nearly every meme about the North East.
November 13, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The Rank's took it on in 1959 until 1964, and from there became the Top Rank Bingo Club. I imagine many of you will actually know it as the Blue Monkey nightclub though, the origin of makina and inspiration for nearly every meme about the North East.
Sunderland is home to umpteen lost theatres, especially in the northern quarter where huge swathes of the city have been cleared for road development and commercial complexes. Bedford Street was home to one such - the Theatre Royal. Perhaps better known as the Blue Monkey...
November 13, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Sunderland is home to umpteen lost theatres, especially in the northern quarter where huge swathes of the city have been cleared for road development and commercial complexes. Bedford Street was home to one such - the Theatre Royal. Perhaps better known as the Blue Monkey...
Hi all!
Over the next 2 weeks, I'd be delighted to hear your thoughts on how this project should move forwards. We're near 6 years in, and for the next 6 I'm keen to make it as robust as poss.
If you have time, I'd be so grateful to hear what you think: forms.gle/CvGjfse7FrPk...
Over the next 2 weeks, I'd be delighted to hear your thoughts on how this project should move forwards. We're near 6 years in, and for the next 6 I'm keen to make it as robust as poss.
If you have time, I'd be so grateful to hear what you think: forms.gle/CvGjfse7FrPk...
November 13, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Hi all!
Over the next 2 weeks, I'd be delighted to hear your thoughts on how this project should move forwards. We're near 6 years in, and for the next 6 I'm keen to make it as robust as poss.
If you have time, I'd be so grateful to hear what you think: forms.gle/CvGjfse7FrPk...
Over the next 2 weeks, I'd be delighted to hear your thoughts on how this project should move forwards. We're near 6 years in, and for the next 6 I'm keen to make it as robust as poss.
If you have time, I'd be so grateful to hear what you think: forms.gle/CvGjfse7FrPk...
The biggie! I've added the Elephant Tea Rooms to the hundreds-strong library of historic structures in the North East. Histories, photo and contextual summary of its built environment through the decades.
Have a lovely Thursday :-)
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/grid
Have a lovely Thursday :-)
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/grid
November 13, 2025 at 7:58 AM
The biggie! I've added the Elephant Tea Rooms to the hundreds-strong library of historic structures in the North East. Histories, photo and contextual summary of its built environment through the decades.
Have a lovely Thursday :-)
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/grid
Have a lovely Thursday :-)
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/grid
This building has been driving me nuts the past couple days. I was convinced 116 High Street West in Sunderland was a chapel, a Salvation Army Citadel or some sort of mission. Turns out I was very wrong!
November 12, 2025 at 5:21 PM
This building has been driving me nuts the past couple days. I was convinced 116 High Street West in Sunderland was a chapel, a Salvation Army Citadel or some sort of mission. Turns out I was very wrong!
Morning all!
Some digging this morn expanding the Shipbuilding Archive. I've extended the Davison & Stokoe entry to include the Mills partnership, who likely constructed 90 ships at this site inc. their last for the Hudsons Bay Co. from 1839.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/shipbuilding...
Some digging this morn expanding the Shipbuilding Archive. I've extended the Davison & Stokoe entry to include the Mills partnership, who likely constructed 90 ships at this site inc. their last for the Hudsons Bay Co. from 1839.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/shipbuilding...
November 12, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Morning all!
Some digging this morn expanding the Shipbuilding Archive. I've extended the Davison & Stokoe entry to include the Mills partnership, who likely constructed 90 ships at this site inc. their last for the Hudsons Bay Co. from 1839.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/shipbuilding...
Some digging this morn expanding the Shipbuilding Archive. I've extended the Davison & Stokoe entry to include the Mills partnership, who likely constructed 90 ships at this site inc. their last for the Hudsons Bay Co. from 1839.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/shipbuilding...
It was recently restored with funding from Historic England, but is still looking for a loving tenant. I just wish the ground floor facade was never messed about with!
By the way, the architect was Frank Caws. He designed the Wallsend Coffee Palace as well as much of the vernacular of Ashbrooke.
By the way, the architect was Frank Caws. He designed the Wallsend Coffee Palace as well as much of the vernacular of Ashbrooke.
November 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
It was recently restored with funding from Historic England, but is still looking for a loving tenant. I just wish the ground floor facade was never messed about with!
By the way, the architect was Frank Caws. He designed the Wallsend Coffee Palace as well as much of the vernacular of Ashbrooke.
By the way, the architect was Frank Caws. He designed the Wallsend Coffee Palace as well as much of the vernacular of Ashbrooke.
Possibly the most well known building in Sunderland? A glorious but peculiar cocktail of Hindu and Gothic architecture - the recently renovated Elephant Tea Rooms.
November 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Possibly the most well known building in Sunderland? A glorious but peculiar cocktail of Hindu and Gothic architecture - the recently renovated Elephant Tea Rooms.
Little addition to the site this morning!
I've popped on the Three Crowns, which is now the glorious 3 Stories on High Street East. This was one of Sunderland's most historic coaching inns on the main crossroads and at the town market.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/features/the...
I've popped on the Three Crowns, which is now the glorious 3 Stories on High Street East. This was one of Sunderland's most historic coaching inns on the main crossroads and at the town market.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/features/the...
November 11, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Little addition to the site this morning!
I've popped on the Three Crowns, which is now the glorious 3 Stories on High Street East. This was one of Sunderland's most historic coaching inns on the main crossroads and at the town market.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/features/the...
I've popped on the Three Crowns, which is now the glorious 3 Stories on High Street East. This was one of Sunderland's most historic coaching inns on the main crossroads and at the town market.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/features/the...
The pub had originally closed in 1959, then underwent various guises as furniture shops and for a short time as a JJB. Hideous grey panelling covered up this whole frontage, so it was a relegation to see this opened up and returned to its former glory.
November 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The pub had originally closed in 1959, then underwent various guises as furniture shops and for a short time as a JJB. Hideous grey panelling covered up this whole frontage, so it was a relegation to see this opened up and returned to its former glory.
There’s very few photos of it with the tiling from yesteryear, but the side elevation can be seen when the railway was being constructed on Pann Lane in the year of its reopening. It certainly came at a good time with the station opening opposite for travellers from north and south.
November 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
There’s very few photos of it with the tiling from yesteryear, but the side elevation can be seen when the railway was being constructed on Pann Lane in the year of its reopening. It certainly came at a good time with the station opening opposite for travellers from north and south.
How bloody gorgeous is The 3 Stories man 😍 a pub which has been stripped back top to bottom in 3 years to uncover its stunning toffee tiling.
November 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
How bloody gorgeous is The 3 Stories man 😍 a pub which has been stripped back top to bottom in 3 years to uncover its stunning toffee tiling.
Rob is the man for anything on North Eastern railways, so I cannot wait to get my teeth stuck into this. Book Club patrons will receive theirs, alongside this years Compendium, very soon!
If you fancy supporting us + a new book 6 times a year - patreon.com/NEHL 🩵
If you fancy supporting us + a new book 6 times a year - patreon.com/NEHL 🩵
November 9, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Rob is the man for anything on North Eastern railways, so I cannot wait to get my teeth stuck into this. Book Club patrons will receive theirs, alongside this years Compendium, very soon!
If you fancy supporting us + a new book 6 times a year - patreon.com/NEHL 🩵
If you fancy supporting us + a new book 6 times a year - patreon.com/NEHL 🩵
Always impressed that Hoults Yard has retained much of the furniture from the pottery days. This central tower is fantastic, as is the retaining wall which formed the narrow portal to the Riverside Line, shipping all these pots and plates to
the masses.
the masses.
November 8, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Always impressed that Hoults Yard has retained much of the furniture from the pottery days. This central tower is fantastic, as is the retaining wall which formed the narrow portal to the Riverside Line, shipping all these pots and plates to
the masses.
the masses.
Much of Sunderland's High Street West hasn't changed, but the Bridges resulted in a clearance of much of the south side. Where Primark now occupies was once the Sunderland Picture House - incorrectly labelled as Bridge Street on this postcard below.
November 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Much of Sunderland's High Street West hasn't changed, but the Bridges resulted in a clearance of much of the south side. Where Primark now occupies was once the Sunderland Picture House - incorrectly labelled as Bridge Street on this postcard below.
Around the turn of the century it became known as the Rose and Crown Hotel, possibly undergoing a rebuild or more likely a rear extension. In the 1850s a yard was behind with workshops and the like, but by the 1890s it was fully developed into the form we see on the photos below.
November 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Around the turn of the century it became known as the Rose and Crown Hotel, possibly undergoing a rebuild or more likely a rear extension. In the 1850s a yard was behind with workshops and the like, but by the 1890s it was fully developed into the form we see on the photos below.
Keel Square is the site of one of Sunderland's long lost pubs - the Rose & Crown.
This one goes way back, very likely before the 1850s, when the pub was part of a much larger terraced row.
This one goes way back, very likely before the 1850s, when the pub was part of a much larger terraced row.
November 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Keel Square is the site of one of Sunderland's long lost pubs - the Rose & Crown.
This one goes way back, very likely before the 1850s, when the pub was part of a much larger terraced row.
This one goes way back, very likely before the 1850s, when the pub was part of a much larger terraced row.
Morning everyone.
I've added the famous Vaux Brewery onto the site as its own entry, with a short history and a generational timeline of historic maps. The third brewery on the library!
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/features/vau...
I've added the famous Vaux Brewery onto the site as its own entry, with a short history and a generational timeline of historic maps. The third brewery on the library!
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/features/vau...
November 6, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Morning everyone.
I've added the famous Vaux Brewery onto the site as its own entry, with a short history and a generational timeline of historic maps. The third brewery on the library!
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/features/vau...
I've added the famous Vaux Brewery onto the site as its own entry, with a short history and a generational timeline of historic maps. The third brewery on the library!
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/features/vau...
In fact the firm helped design some of the most famous in the country - London's Dominion Theatre, Edinburgh's Festival Theatre, the Sunderland Empire as well as Empire's across the North East. This was after inspiration from a visit to the US.
November 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
In fact the firm helped design some of the most famous in the country - London's Dominion Theatre, Edinburgh's Festival Theatre, the Sunderland Empire as well as Empire's across the North East. This was after inspiration from a visit to the US.
Construction of the magistrates commenced in 1902 and opened in 1907, inclusive of the fire station and a court within, with a design won through a competition.
November 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Construction of the magistrates commenced in 1902 and opened in 1907, inclusive of the fire station and a court within, with a design won through a competition.
Evening!
A great survivor of Edwardian Sunderland is the city Magistrates Court, pride in place on the renovated town square. Ironically it stands on the site of a massive old workhouse too.
A great survivor of Edwardian Sunderland is the city Magistrates Court, pride in place on the renovated town square. Ironically it stands on the site of a massive old workhouse too.
November 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Evening!
A great survivor of Edwardian Sunderland is the city Magistrates Court, pride in place on the renovated town square. Ironically it stands on the site of a massive old workhouse too.
A great survivor of Edwardian Sunderland is the city Magistrates Court, pride in place on the renovated town square. Ironically it stands on the site of a massive old workhouse too.
Morning all.
I've added another of Northumberland's most historic football centres - Shielfiel at Tweedmouth. This place has hosted football since at least 1889, and went on to host at least 3 clubs in the area.
The pitch is top left here.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/sportsarchive
I've added another of Northumberland's most historic football centres - Shielfiel at Tweedmouth. This place has hosted football since at least 1889, and went on to host at least 3 clubs in the area.
The pitch is top left here.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/sportsarchive
November 4, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Morning all.
I've added another of Northumberland's most historic football centres - Shielfiel at Tweedmouth. This place has hosted football since at least 1889, and went on to host at least 3 clubs in the area.
The pitch is top left here.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/sportsarchive
I've added another of Northumberland's most historic football centres - Shielfiel at Tweedmouth. This place has hosted football since at least 1889, and went on to host at least 3 clubs in the area.
The pitch is top left here.
www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/sportsarchive
Dozens of breweries were also absorbed not just in Sunderland but the country. Locally, this includes the Blyth & Tyne brewery and the Border Brewery at Berwick among others. As such they became a behemoth, and many will remember their horses parading around Wearside to supply their many houses.
November 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Dozens of breweries were also absorbed not just in Sunderland but the country. Locally, this includes the Blyth & Tyne brewery and the Border Brewery at Berwick among others. As such they became a behemoth, and many will remember their horses parading around Wearside to supply their many houses.
The firm moved to Castle Street in 1875, on the site of an slaughter house. The original owner Cuthbert died 3 years later, but his legacy was cemented. They had garnered a vast empire of pubs through the late 19th century, and not long after their recognisable Maxim ale propelled their image.
November 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The firm moved to Castle Street in 1875, on the site of an slaughter house. The original owner Cuthbert died 3 years later, but his legacy was cemented. They had garnered a vast empire of pubs through the late 19th century, and not long after their recognisable Maxim ale propelled their image.