1. Jimmy Allens – Bridewell Gaol

Currently a bar situated under the arch of Elvet Bridge that was originally a house of correction (the Bridewell or lower house of correction [2]) built in 1634. Here prisoners would be held until their punishment was decided – containment, hanging, flogging/birching or transportation.[3] It was also used as a debtor’s prison where you could be imprisoned until your debts were paid off [social control of the poor]. The name of the nightclub was taken from the gaols most famous prisoner – Jimmy Allen (1733 -1810). Allen stole a horse and was imprisoned [aged 70]. A piper of some repute, he died in prison seven years later – some days before being pardoned by the King. Legend has it that on a quiet night when the river mist descends you can still hear him playing the Northumbrian pipes from his cell.

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[2] Durham had two gaols –the County gaol and the Bridewell or lower house of correction. Prisons were controlled by the County Sherriff who employed jailers – who in turn made money by selling goods, food, alcohol and sometimes women. In 1869 ownership and responsibility for the prisons passed to the government – and then the Home Secretary.

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[3] Prisoners sentenced to deportation would be taken down to the River Wear for onward transportation to e.g. Australia, Virginia and Tasmania. Many died in transit from poor conditions at sea. Women were often subjected to sexual abuse. Justices usually gave 7 or 14 years term of transportation. Transportation ended in 1868. The 1786 Assizes records show the following examples: Jane Scott – theft of two shirts – to be whipped; John Hall, theft of a bushel of oats from a stable –death; John Didsbury-theft of clothes from a dwelling- 7 years transportation[ Source: Palace Green Library Archives].