Brief History
The Newton Hall was the first public house (pub) in Newton Hall, County Durham. The pub opened in 1968 to serve the rapidly expanding Newton Hall estate that was being built at the time.
In August 2009, the pub unexpectedly closed. Reports from locals say prior to its closure, the pub began attracting the wrong crowd. This resulted in locals frequenting The Newton Hall less often and going to the nearby Jovial Monk pub instead.
Ultimately, a joint decision was taken between the pub owner and the local brewery to close the site with and sell the land. The land was almost immediately acquired by Gainford Care Homes, for an undisclosed sum of money.
In late July 2009, Durham County Council received a planning application from Gainford Care Homes to demolish the pub and build a 56 bedroom care home on the same site.
In August 2009, it was reported contractors had demolished the building whilst awaiting planning permission. However, Durham County Council later clarified that planning permission was not needed for demolition, as the local community was already served by a number of other pubs.
In October 2009, the planning application to build the care home was approved, despite objections by the adjoining church and residents in respect to car parking issues.
In December 2011, Gainford care homes opened Newton Hall Care Home, on the same site as the former pub.
The care home remains on the site as of 2021.
The pub pictured in 2009, shortly before demolition.
The same location pictured in 2020
References