Ten archive photographs recall scenes captured around Tyneside in 1996, from Newcastle’s Warner Bros cinema to Oasis at Whitley Bay Ice Rink.
Warner Bros at Manors
Warner Bros at Manors, just east of Newcastle city centre, was one of the region’s biggest and most technologically advanced cinemas. Officially opened by Australian actress and pop star Kylie Minogue in late 1989, it boasted nine separate screens, 3,384 seats, and the latest in projection and sound capabilities. The multiplex complex closed after just 15 years in 2004, when it was knocked down to be replaced by the expanding campus of Northumbria University.
Oasis and Jimmy Nail
Elsewhere in 1996, fans of Oasis watched the band in concert at a packed Whitley Bay Ice Rink. In Cullercoats, Geordie actor Jimmy Nail was filming scenes for the second series of his television creation, Crocodile Shoes, at the Copper Kettle cafe. At Stella South power station, near Blaydon, the chimneys that had been local landmarks for 40 years were under demolition following the site’s closure.
Football headlines
Football in the region was never far from the headlines. Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United blew a golden opportunity to win the club’s first league title since 1927, squandering a 12-point lead and being overhauled by Manchester United in the race for the Premier League crown. The summer saw England host the Euro '96 tournament, with group matches featuring France, Romania and Bulgaria taking place at St James’ Park. In late July, an Evening Chronicle front-page exclusive announced the Magpies’ £15 million world record signing of England and Blackburn Rovers centre-forward Alan Shearer, who would join the club he supported as a boy. A photograph from a few months later shows Newcastle players celebrating a goal during the 5-0 demolition of Manchester United at St James’ Park.
News and culture in 1996
Among the news headlines in 1996, 16 children and a teacher were murdered at Dunblane Primary School in Scotland; Europe imposed a ban on British beef amid fears over BSE; and the royal family found itself in turmoil as the divorces of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson and, later, Prince Charles and Princess Diana became major stories. In a year when the average UK salary was £20,000, a pint of beer cost £1.50, a loaf of bread was 65p, a litre of petrol was 52p, while buying a house would typically cost around £60,000. At the cinema, new releases included Independence Day, Jerry Maguire, and Trainspotting. On television, viewers watched for the first time Dalziel and Pascoe, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and TFI Friday. At the top of the UK singles chart during this week in 1996, there were hits for The Spice Girls with Wannabe, Los Del Rio with Macarena, and Robbie Williams with Freedom.
The 10 photographs include fans watching Oasis at Whitley Bay Ice Rink in January 1996; Jimmy Nail filming Crocodile Shoes at the Copper Kettle cafe in Cullercoats in May 1996; the chimneys at Stella South power station under demolition; Newcastle United players celebrating during the 5-0 win over Manchester United in October 1996; the long-time tourist attraction Tynemouth Plaza hit by fire in February 1996 and later demolished; Gladiator Warrior, real name Mike Ahearne, opening Greenalls food store in Leam Lane, Gateshead, in July 1996; The Forum shopping centre in Wallsend in October 1996; Jarrow-born musician John Miles at Gateshead International Stadium in July 1996; The Beacon pub in South Shields in August 1996; and Warners multiplex cinema at Manors.
