Photo Category: Commercial

Allendale Square - Circa 1963

Allendale village centre in the 1960s, viewed from the ‘Island’/’Bullring’. Note the scales stood at the doorway of the Post Office – at that time run by Billy and Nancy Fairlamb.

Bridge End - Circa 1975

Grand Parade at the end of the Cattle Show – Allendale Agricultural Show, Riding Haughs

Thornley Gate - 1955

‘Ashleigh’ was built as a private house by Mr Matthew Lee, who inherited wealth from family ownership in Ashington Colliery. Hence, ‘Ash-Lee’. It was turned into a hotel in the 1950s, and later a residential care home.

Allendale Square - Circa 1910

Forster’s Temperance Hotel, Allendale – this was later to become the Dale Hotel. To its right a shop that was the site of Allendale Post Office, under William Fairlamb, prior to 1900 when it moved across the Square to the present ‘Tea Rooms’ building.

Allendale Square - Circa 1905

The Smithy in the market square whilst Henry Dixon was blacksmith. In 2020, the site of the Forge art/gift shop. Allendale Town had at least two smithies at this time; Abe Bell had his blacksmith’s shop on Leadgate. A third – under the Martins – was located at Thornley Gate. By mid-20th century, Basil Fairlamb … read more

Allendale Square - Circa 1895

Postcard showing Matthew Stephenson’s grocery store, on the corner of Allendale Square and Shield St. The Heatherlea hotel building was subsequently built on this site. On the corner is the entrance to the bank.

Allendale Square - Circa 1959

Dorothy Lancaster leading a ride. At that time her riding school operated out of the King’s Head stables; it moved to Pods Bank in Thornley Gate in the early 1960s. The Allendale Co-op Drapery opened in 1937 – formerly the site of the Fosters’ house ‘West View’. The garage behind was used for storing vehicles. Parked … read more

Allendale Square - Circa 1908

This group were photographed at the back of the Rose and Crown Inn on Arnison Terrace. Third from right at back is Lancelot Edgar (1893-1951). On the extreme left is Lancelot Bell (1882-1955), Rita’s father.

Allendale Town - 1983

Charlton’s Shop after the disastrous fire when Mr Tulip was proprietor.  It was rebuilt as two cottages.

Allendale Square - Circa 1902

The ‘Bull Ring’, Allendale.  Lost cattle had been kept here until the farmer could claim them.  Immediately behind the bull ring is the hearse house, and beyond the Lion House Hotel. The larger building to the right of the photo formerly housed the Post Office, and is now Allendale Tea Rooms.  To its right is … read more

Allendale Town - Circa 1938

Postcard view of Shield Street, Allendale, showing the Pharmacy with steps to the side of it and Charlton’s shop to its right.

Allendale Square - Circa 1938

Allendale Post Office in its 1880s-1960s location (now the Tea Rooms).  This location was the site of ‘The Green’ public house at the start of the 1800s. Three generations of Fairlamb ran the Post Office for over a hundred years – William began in 1870. Llewellyn took it over in 1904 and William Redvers Fairlamb … read more

Allendale Town - Circa 1945

Allendale Cinema, which was housed the church hall. Initiated during the Second World War to entertain evacuees, it operated into the early 1960s, The projection room was above the present kitchen accessed (until January 2003) by stairs at the far end of the kitchen.

Allendale Square - Circa 1950

One of Dorothy and Harry Lancaster’s riding school ponies – Lindy – outside the Co-op Drapery – now the Co-op supermarket.  Harry lived at Leadgate and worked at the garage which is now The Forge.