Wigan Album
Marks & Spencers
9 CommentsPhoto: RON HUNT
Item #: 32023
Maybe so Ron, but in the 1960s Van Allen was across the road from M & S, same side as Freeman, Hardy and Willis shoe shop, and it sold ladies' fashions. Can't recall if it sold men's clothing too.
That's how I remember Marks inside the store, with all the counters and carefully folded tops/jumpers in piles on top. Any garments on hangers were near the walls. It was always a grand building in Standishgate, stood out amongst the others. Must say I can't recall the the three entrances.
Isn't it strange to demolish the substantial property to replace it with what looks like a shack!
Sort of the opposite to property development.
Looking at the building on Google street view, it looks like they have rebuilt the aquare-shaped demolished section with 4 windows (to the right of the main building) just as it was before?
You are right irean Van Allen was across the road.My friend worked there in the 60's
Is/was Burton’s to the left?.
Albert S. I think Burtons was to the right, next door to Woolworths.
Van Allan ladies fashion shop was originally located next door to Marks & Spencer. I started work as a junior in 1963 at H&J Wilson opposite a Mr Taylor was manager then. Van Allan closed down quickly, we were told it had building safety issues? H&J Wilson was then refurbished and reopened as Van Allan, selling ladies fashions along with a boutique at the back where the children's department used to be. Both belonged to the same group of shops. Marks and Spencer then extended sideways. British Home Stores was lower down on the same side as the new Van Allan with Debenhams opp. Chelsea Girl was on the corner of the traffic lights. Good old woolies was at the top where WH Smith is now. Makinsons arcade is still there but a little further up was the Royal arcade.
Sorry I got the year wrong it was 1968 not 1963 when I started work @ H&J Wilson not 1963. Margaret.