Re ALDI and what was there in the past. On the 1898 Blyth map there was a settling pond of some sort probably associated with the Cowpen 'A' pit, and open fields. By 1922 there was a 'yard' there along with some allotments. When exactly they appeared I don't know. On the 1937 map the yard is referred to as the Corporation Yard.
As a boy growing up the 1970s my father worked for Blyth Borough Council. He worked in various departments across Blyth, one of them being housing in the depot at that yard. The yard contained a weigh bridge (I used to love watching the lorries being checked) and the general stores for Blyth Housing. All the equipment the crews needed for repairing the housing stock at that time were stored at that yard. During the school holidays on a number of occasions I went to the yard with my dad. The gritting wagons, refuse wagons and various other vehicles and vans were parked up there over night. One of the jobs I loved to do was in the joiners shop. They had me sweep all the wood shavings into the centre of the floor where there was a large 'drain' which had an extractor come vacuum attached to it. The shavings were sucked up into a big storage tank that was outside. I convinced myself as a boy that it was where they got the shavings for the vomit biscuit tins in schools! An endless supply for sure. My family left Blyth in March of '81, so what happened to the council depot after that time I have no idea, excepting of course that there is now a small shopping center there. Oh, there never was a large house built on the site of the depot, it was always a commercial yard.
I also remember on the opposite side of the road there being a secondhand car dealership. The owner for a time had a 1970s blue Corvette Stingray and his wife crashed it and was killed. Not sure of the facts. You know how with time the memory can play tricks with oneself, so don't quote me on it. I'd need to go read newspapers of the day to reacquaint myself with the proper facts. The building is still there and now looks to be a private house.
Yes, the football fields are partially built on the old brick works along with Cowley Place and Edendale Avenue.
P