Wigan Album

Here, here, well said Ron.

If a signed by thousands petition is put to them they'll completely ignore it, as they did with other buildings.

If you had loads on money to do it up what would you use it for

That's a good question, Mick. How about a museum packed to the rafters with exhibits from across the globe.

Remember the little sweet shop on the left of this building, that was in the early 80's. This is a lovely building.

It was a lovely cinema to go to during the week. If the picture wasn't so good you could cross over the road to the County or the Ritz. At least you weren't surrounded with all that crashing sound you get nowadays! Recall it being more 'up market' than the Princes or the Pavillion.

The toffee shop was Westheads a local Wigan firm,

This building was also called Walkabout,the Chicago was next door,in the old Tesco building.I wholeheartedly agree with the comments about saving this lovely building.

You could always ask the owners what their intentions are for this building.

Been in here loads of times as a cinema, dance hall and below the Crawford Rooms on Sunday afternoons. Saw Them with Van Morrison one Saturday night! And the Merseybeats who had drunk in the pub across the road before performing! It was here that they screened Hard Days Night. The queue was a mile long but managed to get in!

If they save it it won't be turned into something that the older generation would like it to become, but likely just another night club with head thumping music. Profits is the name of the game here not benefiting the public, and the booze culture makes lots of it.

I remember seeing Lee Wade and the Wild Ones, and The Wheels, at this venue, while I seem to remember The Wheels singing Them's big hit Gloria.

Theatre is what Wigans short of

Philip the Wheels were a regular act at the Sportsmans Club Brian Rossi lead singer, he always wore a black and white waistcoat. Later he was the compere at the QUEENS CLUB in Cleveleys. I heard he died quite a few years ago now.

I remember seeing the Wheels at the Monaco in Hindley, they were excellent and played'Gloria'. How lucky were you Johnny to see Them with Van Morrison in Wigan?? have seen him 3 times, but always in Manchester.

Thanks, Ron. And Brian Rossi sometimes wore what appeared to be a white sheepskin waistcoat. I've just discovered his daughter Tamara's tribute to her parents on YouTube, in which her dad Brian is heard singing Gloria (I was right, after all.).

Does anybody remember the doorman..he wasn't very tall always wore a dark suit white shirt and back dicky bow,always stood with his hands behind his back. a dapper little chap.

Ron the black and white waistcoat was probably the only one he had.

I managed to have a look around the building a few years ago and all the seats in the circle are still there. The seating in the GODS were just like wooden steps. I can't remember if there were ever seats there although I have been in there probably in the 1950's, or people just sat on the steps?

Why is it always the council's fault when a private company allow a building to fall into disrepair? It is lazy to blame the council when most derelict buildings are privately owned, Would you rather the council waste money bailing out private companies who have chief executives on massive salaries? The most the council can do is issue legal notices to the owner and all that can say is the building must be kept in good repair. They cannot force them to re=open it. Maybe all those council knockers can put their hands in their pockets and buy the building off the owners. Anyone? Probably not!! The council are far from perfect but they cannot be blamed for everything.