NEHL - A building in the centre of Spennymoor which has changed no end in the past half century, especially given the transformation of its surroundings too.

This is the North Eastern, a prime watering hole awaiting weary travellers leaving Spennymoor Railway Station. It was also the de facto station hotel, providing both rooms and spirits from August 1877. The first landlord was Mr Robert Prudhoe - a Newbottle born man who was 50 odd by the time he took this place on after giving up his work as a druggist and grocer.

Given its central location in town, it was also an important meeting place for the local industrialists and tradesmen. Early union meetings were held between North Durham collieries here in the 1880s, setting their stance on wage disputes and working reforms. Freemasons meetings and death inquests were held here, as well as boundary revisions for the local constituencies.

The original building was destroyed by fire (why does Spennymoor keep combusting?) in 1892. All sorts was destroyed including the Durham Rugby Cup won by Tudhoe Rugby Club not long prior. Only the walls survived and damage was estimated to cost £5000. It was rebuilt fairly hastily and up in action by the year after.

The pub also featured a Fives alley - a very popular sport amongst working class industrial folk similar to Handball. It will have been situated in the back yard, though the exact site isn't too clear on Ordnance Survey maps.

The pub closed around the 2010s.