The clear-up of a Bellingham pub has unearthed some interesting items from the past.
The Fellowship Inn on Randlesdown Road is being restored as part of a multimillion pound Heritage Lottery Fund makeover and got a deep clean in the lead up to its restoration.
Among items found were prize flyers from 1984 and a set of bingo rules (entry for 25p).
Prizes for the flyers included a microwave oven and a portable TV.
Phoenix Community Housing was awarded the £4m grant in November 2014 to restore the pub.
The space will be transformed into a pub and microbrewery, a cinema, a theatre and comedy venue, a café, a music hub and rehearsal area.
Building work is set to begin later this year.
Phoenix Chief Executive, Jim Ripley said: “Phoenix bought The Fellowship Inn in 2013, and since then we’ve been working with the community to develop plans for the pub’s future.
“We’re delighted to have appointed Ash Contracting Ltd, who bring with them significant experience and expertise in the restoration of heritage buildings like the Fellowship and who share our ambitions for the building and for Bellingham and the wider area.
“I’m so looking forward to seeing works progress, and this magical building restored for everyone to enjoy – watch this space!”
The Fellowship Inn was built as a family facility during the construction of the Bellingham Estate in the 1920s. It once served as a training base for the heavyweight boxer Henry Cooper.
It has also hosted famous music artists, such as Fleetwood Mac and Eric Clapton, but has since fallen into substantial disrepair.
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