Wigan Album

Sadly, both of them had about as much character as a bin-bag.

Totally agree Irene, not to mention the 'other one' across the road!!!

Walked through yesterday and apart from NEXT every outlet is closed until you get to the newer section lower down. An absolute disgrace, surely some use could be made of these almost derelict properties?

I went to work in Marketgate in 1990, at that time nearly all the units were occupied, by the time I finished there in 2005 virtually all the lower level was vacant and several shops on the higher level were empty. The Galleries finished off Marketgate and the Grand Arcade will finish off the Galleries. What will happen then? yet antoher shopping centre will be built and finish off the Grand Arcade.

You would swear that all the powers that be are out to destroy Wigan..I could cry when I look at some of the old photos..why oh why don't they just use the money to keep our historic buildings in good condition instead of knocking them down and putting rubbish ones in their place..ones that don't last because of sky-high rents..I just don't understand their reasoning at all..and they're certainly not listening to the people.

Maureen, it's all about money and image, people and needs just aren't in it.

wouldn't it be better to get some rent instead of none, i mean the galleries downstairs is compleatly empty its rediculouse and the grande arcade is nothing special i thought it was going to be fantastic, what a let down and the noise you get in there remindes me of going to the baths when i was little is it me, theres no warmth or cozyness about it and that george formby statue well, dont know witch is worse that being too small or fred dibnah in bolton too big he looks like a giant and he was only a small man ha ha well rant over.

Josie
Last time I was in Wigan I wasn't looking where I was going and walked straight into George!!!! I was just about to apologise..it scared me to death at first and then we fell about laughing...Can't take me anywhere!!!

It is kind of odd... The Book Clearance Centre had to close because they had been refused a renewal of their lease. The book store was not running at a loss and was a profitable concern. The owners of the arcade had also refused other stores a new lease... it was as if they wanted to empty the arcade of going concerns. Maybe they have plans for it? I have heard since however that a new lease was granted for a new store... not sure which one it is? But it is certainly rather odd what was goimg on.

I too suspect that when Marketgate is finally empty it will be redeveloped and put the Grand Arcade out of business.

I love Wigan World because I love Wigan. I always have, but just like you I could weep at the destruction of the old town. What I dont understand is, if the council aren't listening, why aren't they being MADE to listen? I would love to hear some answers from the individuals who signed the documents that lost us all but tiny parts of our hometown. Furthermore,I should like to know why they built yet another shopping centre when they couldnt fill the other one.

Has an investigation never been made into why we are being told whats happening to Wigan rather than being asked what SHOULD happen? Who are these people who keep telling us that we have to progress? Progress to what? Rents hiked so high that only the chain stores can afford the properties? That's what's happened in the Grand Arcade, and it also happened in The Galleries. And why would a council, who says it wants to fill a property, deny a good book shop a further lease.

Mark my words, there is something very smelly hanging around here and always has been. It isnt the fish market either, because they emptied that as well.