Originally a pub called the Burton House which adjoined the Free Library in Ocean Road it dated from about 1870, this was sold in 1874.
The Criterion opened in 1875 was named after The Criterion Grill in London.
The pub originally was designed to cater for businessmen and such places were called Chop Houses. Where businessmen would meet and eat fried chops and steaks. One of the chop ovens is still in existence in the pub though only the fire is used now.
In later years the pub became a Tetley’s house! One of the very few in Shields.
It closed in 2012 and became Ladbrokes the Bookmakers but in 2018 unbelievably the Criterion upstairs opened again. Looking exactly like it did 100 years ago!
Sources:
British Newspaper Archives
Licensing Records
Terry Ford
Trade Directories
Photos:
South Tyneside Libraries
Ron Lawson, Sunderland Antiquarian Society
Terry Ford