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Horden, along with neighbouring former collieries suffered
after the pit closures of the 1980's. Long established shops, public houses, clubs, cinemas all closed over a period of time.
Houses became run down and in some areas demolished. In nearby Easington, the streets made famous in the film Billy
Elliot have also been demolished.
It's not all doom and gloom however. A industrial
estate was built on the pit site, a engineering company bought it's own unit outright and now deals with other famous engineering
companies.
New houses have been built at Dene Villas, the former
T.A. site, the former 2nd and 3rd street site which were built by the Durham Aged Miner's Homes Association which were opened
by Tony Blair in 1995.
At present a new estate is being built at the old school
site behind St. Mary's church which includes a new vicarage.
Further redevelopment is still taking place, the derelict
day school overlooking Denemouth has been demolished and a new modern private housing estate is being built there.
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The shops, clubs and public house that did survive the
pit closure are now doing well, although the large Co-op store closed the building has been converted into smaller units and
are now all occupied by new and established owners.
Horden has become famous for it's 3 gyms, one of
it's owners became Mr. Universe in the late 1990's 3 year's running.
Also, some of the old traditions have survived and
thrived. As mentioned on the coastal footpath page, fishing continues to be as popular as ever, Horden brass band continues
to play many a fine tune, Horden St. John brigade continues to be sucessful, it represented Great Britain in the International
tournament held in Singapore in 1995.
The allotments and pigeon fancying are as popular as ever,
in 1993 the world record for leek growing was held by a Horden man.
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