Wigan Album

Remember when Pepper Mill Exhausts was opened in the early 1980s and to encourage new customers they advertised a Free Krypton Engine Tune, and probably all of Wigan motorists came along as there was a massive queue, I would imagine they didn't expect so many folks to take them up on it, they didn't last much longer before folding, I don't think it was used for anything else before the blaze.

I've expected Pagefield Mill to mysteriously go up in flames for some time too to pave the way for development, just like the other mysterious fires that have happened before in buildings.

A friend of mine had a picture framing business in there mid 80's The exhaust garage was in the basement.

It was just the exhaust & engine tuning that had stuck in my mind Ron as I took our car there to be tuned, though I missed out on the free one as I didn't want to wait in the long queue. I'd forgotten or hadn't known of any other businesses there, though a sailing Yacht in the car park has come to mind, don't idea who it belonged to, though never seemed to move.

Cyril, I think that units were created and these were for rent. It is possible that one was a music studio and there were some practice rooms for bands.

Cyril - That yacht was there for years. I used to pass it regularly walking home up Darlington Street, and wonder how they would every get it out. - by crane I presume.

So Ian, the mill still served a good purpose after the exhaust and engine tuning was gone, a pity it caught fire.

Yes Carolaen, I wouldn't know, but they couldn't have towed it out through the car park entrance/exit way.

I seem to recall taking my late wife to the former Pepper Mill building for an interview in the accounts dept. of a company who were making and/or selling shoes

when i worked at the gas works across from pepper mill in early 60s it was a brass foundry

My great grand father james bithell worked the pepper mill 1881 occupation ; foundry striker

worked there 1963-66