Byker
The Fighting Cocks, Byker
Last Updated:
24 May 2025
Byker
This is a
Pub
54.971896, -1.586161
Founded in
Current status is
Extant
Designer (if known):
Repurposed as offices
The Fighting Cocks is one I see often on the way to work, and I'm so glad it still exists despite its repurposing as an office. It retains its lovely toffee & bottle green tiles, and alongside its gabled dormers makes for a fantastic historical remnant of the late 19th century.
A pub of this name has stood here since at least the 1850s, though what we see is slightly later. At this time the Fighting Cocks was part of a long terrace climbing all the way up Albion Row, very likely tenements. As such, I can imagine it stood in the corner unit repurposed from one of the units, originally built for those working at the bottle works, iron works or roperies at the Ouseburn. It is also very likely named because cock fights took place here or nearby - a reasonable assumption given we're on the edge of town with a historic industrial base.
The pub was wholly redeveloped in the 1890s, having previously being owned by the Tyne Brewery Company of Bath Lane. This was a time when many establishments were attempting to shirk off their grubby image to entice a more modern and self-aware clientele. As such, these glossy tile facades were added to set them apart from competing inns. The 2nd pic below is just after opening, as Liddell was in charge upon opening.
During the renovations, a great quantity of human bodies were found in the foundations - at least 20-30 people. It's not known why they were here, but rumours initially stated they were English and Scots from the Civil War. However, no weapons were found. I would suggest they were overspill from the Ballast Hills burial ground nearby given the grounds were so large and overflowing.
This place became well known in the 1920s as a boxing gym. It stood on the first floor above the pub, with Jim Falcus providing tuition for free to local kids. He coached George Willis, Buck Dryden, Alf Page, Tommy O'Brien and Dave Dowd - all well known sporting names then.
The Fighting Cocks operated until the millennium. From there it was home to a PR company but now I think it's general office space.
Listing Description (if available)
Both maps shown here illustrate the Albion Row area from the mid 19th century until the 1890s. The area started industrialising at least a century before, and as a result these large vertical tenement buildings shot up to cater for the influx of workers. On either side there were roperies, bottle works, iron works, chemical factories and shipyards. It must have been a dense and dirty hive of industry. As seen too the ballast hills extended far beyond its current enclosure which probably gives credence for the bodies found during redevelopment.
The area is far more recognisable in the 1890s, with the Fighting Cocks Inn backing on to the Clay Pit which supplied Maling's Pottery on Walker Road. The Ouseburn School had just been built, as had the new Glasshouse Bridge. The Free Trade was yet to open but two other lost pubs were operating - the Rose & Crown and the Duke of York on Maling Street.
By the 1950s, it had changed name to the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks - a peculiar trend to "ye-oldify" pubs and make them feel older at this time. We can see in great detail the features of the environs - the Domestos factory was still operating on Albion Row and St Lawrence Park was at its zenith. Many of the houses which surrounded it have been demolished, but the park was something to take great pride in then - a paddling pool, two bowling greens and a large playground featured. The Duke of York had shut by this time, but we can also see the Ship and the Free Trade.
The Fighting Cocks in May 2025
The Fighting Cocks just after reconstruction in the late 1890s. Liddell was the proprietor at this time.
Source: Newcastle Libraries
The Fighting Cocks in 1962. Source: Billy Embleton