Houghton-le-Spring, Newbottle Street, Gaiety Theatre

HER Number:
15969

District:
Sunderland

Site Name:
Houghton-le-Spring, Newbottle Street, Gaiety Theatre

Place:
Houghton-le-Spring

Map Sheet:
NZ35SW

Class:
Recreational

Site Type: Broad:
Music Speech and Dance Venue

Site Type: Specific:
Theatre

General Period:
Modern

Specific Period:
C20

Form of Evidence:
Extant Building

Description:
Opened on 29 July 1909 by Henry Hall and Joseph Ainsley (landlord of Robbie Burns Pub which stood opposite). Demolished in 1929. In 1930 the Grand Theatre was built in its place. The projectionists were Robert Geddes and Furio Riani (whose family owned the ice cream parlour opposite). The Grand was later called the Essoldo and later still the Classic. The cinema closed in March 1975 and was converted into Dee's supermarket. The building is now B & M Bargains.

Easting:
3398

Northing:
5011

Grid Reference:
NZ33985011

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
Paul Lanagan, 2013, Silver screens used to be a goldmine for businesses, Seaham & Houghton Star, Wednesday June 5 2013, p 6