How Bishop Auckland's Newgate Street has changed in pictures

A street which Roman soldiers once marched along and where drunken miners staggered home, it is a road packed with history.

But in recent years the street has become a prime example of the struggling British high street, with shops being boarded up and businesses moving out of town.

Now the once bustling street has lots of boarded-up units.

Some big-name stores including the Co-op and WHSmith are among those who once traded there.

The street came about as the medieval town expanded from the Market Place. It was first mentioned in 1470, and until the Victorian era, most of the street was thatched.

But there are hopes of regeneration in some areas including with the development of a new Stack leisure venue. Work on the site will begin in January.

We’ve taken a look back through The Northern Echo’s archives to show you how Newgate Street looked through the years...

This photo from 1850 is believed to be the oldest of Newgate Street.

Newgate Street 1909 with horse-drawn carts going down the street. (Image: ARCHIVE)

The co-operative on Newgate Street pictured in 1967. (Image: ARCHIVE)

The Eden Theatre being demolished in 1974. (Image: ARCHIVE)

Shoppers on Newgate Street in 2003. (Image: ANDY LAMB)

This picture in 2009 shows some of the stores on Newgate Street, (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Shops boarded up in 2012. (Image: ANDY LAMB)

Recommended reading:

• See how this Durham street has changed over the years in pictures
• New heart top of child's Christmas list after eight month wait for a donor
• 'Arson' leaves family homeless for Christmas as son, 10, has to jump from window

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. With our latest deal you can pay £4 for 4months, or get 40% off a 12-month subscription. Click here.

A sunny Newgate Street in 2013. (Image: ARCHIVE)

How Newgate Street looked in 2022. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)