The photograph of Blackett's department store was probably taken in the late 1940s early 1950s. There are trolley bus wires evident so it will have been pre 1953 when the last trolley buses ran in the town.
The current Hill Carter Hotel is accessed through the door behind the van.
HHT&N 884
Donor : Douglas Ferriday
Part of the "Library collection" collection
Location
The department store was opened on the corner of Church Street and Whitby Street by Carter and Company of Stockton and West Hartlepool. George Stephenson had opened a draper's shop on the site in 1856 and when he died, Carter and Co bought the business. In 1898, Carter joined business with Denis Hill and Company of North Shields and Newcastle who had originally made clothes for seamen. The original shop was demolished and a new one built. D Hill, Carter and Company then expanded the business to include upholstery and drapery departments.
in 1937 Blacketts of Sunderland took over the store and also owned shops in Barnard Castle, Stockton and Sunderland. Much like Robinson's, Blacketts was known for its Christmas Toy Fair which for a few years was held in the disused Lex Cinema. In 1970 the Blacketts store closed and in an era before 'pound shops' became the discount Dovecot Salerooms looking and feeling nothing like the original department store.
In 1997, the building was extensively refurbished as a hotel and bar and given its original name as The Hill Carter Hotel. The hotel boasts a large rooftop restaurant with panoramic views around the area.
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