The Atlas Inn at the end of High St East. On the right is the corner of Long Bank which ran steeply down to the river at Low St. The bomb damaged property belongs to Fenwicks Breweries. Photograph Norman Kirtlan, caption Len Charlton.
With the opening of the first Wearmouth Bridge in 1796 traffic moved away from the ferries and the Bridge Hotel built in 1820 at the junction of High St and Charles St soon became a busy commercial meeting place. The photos show it as built 1820 and today as a listed building. Photograph Norman Kirtlan, caption Len Charlton.
The north side of High St East. The Cock Inn (renamed Grey Horse) and entrance to Fighting Cock Lane are behind the lamp standard and Mauds Open is further up. This stretch of High St close to Bodlewell Lane runs uphill to the large shops and stores which packed the top end of High St.
Photograph Norman Kirtlan, caption Len Charlton.
The lower stretch of High St became very dilapidated in the 1950s. The chapel at centre was number 131 High St East . The buildings to the left (as you look at the photo) are 132 and 133 which are 2 shops. The building to the immediate right of the chapel is 130- The Commercial Hotel. Next is 129 1/2 a shop, 129 another shop, then 128 far right is the White Swan. Youll's Passage is off the photo and to the left.
Photograph Norman Kirtlan, caption Len Charlton.
The Lyceum Theatre and Theatre Tavern in Lambton St. The opening in 1852 with Charles Dickens and his acting group was hindered by competitors' claims that the new building was unsafe but Dickens took the risk of going ahead. In 1855 the building was destroyed by fire and rebuilt and the following year the theatre presented Henry Irving in his first professional appearance as Duke of Orleans in “Richelieu”. The building eventually became a cinema and is here shown partly demolished in the 1930s. Photograph Norman Kirtlan, caption Len Charlton.
