Balmbra's Music Hall

In 1848 The Wheatsheaf Public House opened as "The Royal Music Saloon". Around 1862 that room was rebuilt/converted by the proprietor John Balmbra who had been running the place since before 1850. The song "Blaydon Races" was first performed by George Ridley in the same year, which mentions Balmbra’s by name, as the starting point of the trip. In 1864 Tom Handford took on The Wheatsheaf and honoured his friend by re-branded the Wheatsheaf as Balmbra’s Music Hall. John passed away in 1868. The Music Hall ceased to function c1879 and the building was destroyed by fire in 1899. A new hotel was built in 1901 and in 1962 Balmbra's Music Hall was opened in the former billiard room.