Wigan Album

Marketplace, looking down Wallgate, Midland Bank on the corner of Library St, next door to the Raven Hotel,followed by the Golden Lion Hotel, Wallgate

I notice a sign in the top right "Golden Gong". Don't know what date but that must be one of the first Chinese restaraunts in Wigan

The Golden Gong was my first experience of chinese cuisine after a night in the town centre pubs with mates sometime in the late 50s. If I remember right the restaurant was on the first floor up a long flight of stairs. The meal we had is a long forgotten memory,but I do remember vividly the jar of frogs legs displayed on a shelf, bizarre.

The date of the late 1950's would be about right. I went to the National Bluecoat School in Hallgate (where the bus station is now), and the owners children attended there. None of us had ever seen a Chinese person before (except in books) but they fitted in as though they'd always been there.
What was the Chinese Restaurant at the Standishgate entrance to the Royal Arcade called?. That would have opened only a year or so later.Getting back to the photo, could it have been the St Georges Day Parade ?

Prior to being The Golden Gong, I think it was called Makinson's Cafe, Makinsons (I think) had a shop selling speciality coffees below it on Wallgate. I would date the change as late fifties.

Regarding early examples of Chinese restaurants in Wigan. Who remembers The Happy Palace in Market St? It was another early 60s one and was sited roughly just before where the first entrance to the bus station is now(coming down Market St. from the Market Place)

There were two Chinese restaurants open before the "gong". The Happy Palace was first, followed by the one over the Royal Arcade (which name I can't recall)....(?)Dragon,maybe?

The one in the royal arcade up the stairs was The Hong Kong

I think the Happy Palace was in Market Street - on the same side as the Queens Hall.