Initially it was used as a meeting hall and community centre, before being converted in the 1920s to a cinema and ballroom and renamed The Majestic by the locals.

[2] It was perhaps a little too grand for a small community and experienced financial difficulties in the late 1920s, but continued to operate a cinema and ballroom for many decades afterwards.

The hall was saved from demolition by developer Michael Brett who planned to renovate the building as residences for vulnerable people.

Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods officially opened the renamed Eshwin Hall on Friday, October 19.

It is funded by a number of key partners including Durham County Council, Surestart and is part of North East Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Schools.

The village has a football team, Esh Winning F.C., who currently play in the Northern League Division Two, although their ground is in West Terrace in nearby Waterhouses.

Sir Bobby Robson, former manager of the England national football team, grew up in the neighbouring village of Langley Park and was educated for a time in Esh Winning.