Stockton Central and Stockton West, historical walk instructions

How you remember Sainsburys will definitely show your age. Perhaps you remember it as Hintons (perhaps with a touch of Presto), Safeway or you may always have known it as Sainsburys.

Hintons was founded by Amos Hinton in Middlesbrough in 1871 and by 1919, the business had expanded such that it had seven stores on Teesside. It went on to buy Winterschladen, a chain of off-licences.

The company was acquired by Argyll Foods in 1984. The Hintons name disappeared from all of the stores in the same week as the Presto brand was rolled out across Argyll's estate. The Winterschladen name continued to be used on the off licences for many years, until those stores were eventually sold and became Victoria Wine stores.

In July 2004 the Evening Gazette explained that 'refurbishments begin this week on the former Safeway store in Whitehouse Farm, Stockton. Sainsbury's will carry out work on the Bishopton Road supermarket for six weeks to install new facilities including deli, fish and bakery counters. The new store will open on September 1.'

The Cleveland and Teesside Historical Society have documented some of Sparks Daylight Bakery and its history.

Spark's Daylight Bakery, now redeveloped as apartments, was designed in 1938 by local Middlesbrough and Darlington architect Robert Ridley Kitching, and officially opened in May 1940. Kitching was very much a 'modern' architect, often (but not always) working in a style that has come to be recognised as Art Deco.

Kitching's modern aesthetic was very well suited to the vision Ralph Spark had for his new bakery complex. It was also reflective of changing attitudes to industrial production - streamlined in nature and streamlined in expression. This popular modernism promoted contemporary style to the general public, and by the late 1930s spoke a language that Spark's customers thought stylish and 'state-of-the-art'.

Ralph Spark established his small original bakery on Bishopton Lane in 1881; in 1900 he opened a shop on Yarm Lane, and by 1914 had another four branches in Stockton and Middlesbrough. After the war, branches were initiated in Darlington, West Hartlepool, Thornaby, South Bank and further branches at Stockton and Middlesbrough.

Ralph Spark kept an eye on modern technology and took advantage of current trends in automation and labour-saving devices as early as 1919, when his Marton Road bakery incorporated much up-to-the-minute machinery. By 1940 he had taken this even further and could produce bread, cakes, pastries and chocolates quickly, efficiently and in very large quantities. Spark employed 380 staff across his enterprise, in the bakery and in his fifteen shops and four cafes. The 'Daylight Bakery' with its implied emphasis on health and efficiency, was geared up to meet an obviously growing market, providing everything Spark's shops and cafes required.

What remains of the original bakery was the office block with its eye-catching street façade. The building's flat roof, its horizontal emphasis, cream and green glazed tiles and recessed entrance tower all denote a modern style, not unlike that of the Hoover Building in Perivale, west London. The whole building was originally heated by ducted hot air produced by the bakery. There are also four semi-detached houses to the northwest of the main building, which were probably built for employees with some responsibility, and which are now part of the residential redevelopment.

Spark's 'Daylight Bakery' closed in 1985.

Directions

Starting outside of the Senators Pub in the Sainsburys car park on Bishopton Road West, use the footpath to join Bishopton Avenue and stay on the left-hand side of the road.

You will pass Sparks Daylight Bakery on your left-hand side. As you approach Newham Grange Park, cross over the road and head into the Durham Road Cemetery.

Walk along the path between the cemetery fence and the houses and you will arrive at The Cross of Sacrifice and a gate that takes you into the cemetery. There are 54 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 45 from the Second which are scattered throughout the cemetery. The Cross is in a similar style to those that can be found around Europe. Walking through the cemetery you will pass around the old chapel and reach the gate that leads onto Durham Road.

Turn left and walk past the Tees Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust building that is believed to be the old Children's Hospital which may have been, until 1948, the old fever hospital. Cross over at the pedestrian refuge near to St John the Baptist Church and Lilac Road and continue to walk down to the roundabout - facing the ongoing traffic - where you will need to cross the A177 Durham Road by-pass.

You may choose to cross the road again or walk towards the school and the Community Centre. If you choose to stay on the school side do note, the path will run out and you will be walking on grass.

Heading towards the Blue Bridge, turn left at Darlington Lane. Follow this towards the site of The Old Mile House Pub and cross the main road at the traffic lights and continue straight on until you reach the entrance to Newham Grange Park, just after Virginia Close. Cross the road to gain entrance into the park.

Pass the playground and bowling club, and follow the path around, taking in fire, earth, water and air. Keep your eyes open to the left and you may see the Monkey Puzzle Tree that dominates the tree line.

Exit the park into Whitehouse Farm estate along the footpath and follow Spenborough Road, Newstead Avenue and Barlborough Avenue until you see Stockton Sixth Form College and Stockton Town Football Club in front of you. This walk takes in a visit to the Football Club where you can get refreshments and learn about the history of the club.

Upon leaving the grounds of the College and Football Club, a short walk on Bishopton Road West, crossing the main road towards Sainsbury's, takes you back to the car park.