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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

King Street & King Street West, Wigan

19 Comments

SPRINGBOK
SPRINGBOK
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 4,156
Item #: 30421
SPRINGBOK night club in the Royal Court/Court Cinema, building I believe it was later called CHICAGO and now lies empty... Another of Wigan's historic buildings falling into a state when the only alternative will be to demolish it..
WIGAN COUNCIL.... instead of spending millions on reveloping the town centre spend some money on reviving this building, before it's to late.

Comment by: Cyril on 9th April 2018 at 19:03

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.

Comment by: Mick on 9th April 2018 at 22:17

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

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 9th April 2018 at 22:56

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

Comment by: vic on 9th April 2018 at 23:57

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

Comment by: Veronica on 10th April 2018 at 07:32

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.

Comment by: Pw on 10th April 2018 at 07:39

The toffee shop was Westheads a local Wigan firm,

Comment by: Sonia on 10th April 2018 at 08:29

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.

Comment by: Angela on 10th April 2018 at 09:03

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

Comment by: Johnny on 10th April 2018 at 12:29

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!

Comment by: Ab on 10th April 2018 at 13:37

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.

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 10th April 2018 at 14:22

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.

Comment by: jont65 on 10th April 2018 at 14:48

Theatre is what Wigans short of

Comment by: RON HUNT on 10th April 2018 at 15:27

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.

Comment by: Sonia on 10th April 2018 at 16:36

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.

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 10th April 2018 at 17:40

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.).

Comment by: Maureen on 10th April 2018 at 18:56

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.

Comment by: Mick on 10th April 2018 at 19:05

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

Comment by: RON HUNT on 12th April 2018 at 16:10

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?

Comment by: Julie Bromilow on 22nd April 2018 at 18:16

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.

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