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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

King Street & King Street West, Wigan

7 Comments

King Street 50 year comparison
King Street 50 year comparison
Photo: Keith
Views: 4,029
Item #: 31090
Frank Orrell has once again posted some brilliant views of Wigan as we used to know it. The one in King Street is here compared to a similar view some 50 years or so later. I've numbered two obvious points that are more or less the same - the door archway entrance and the shop facade. I cannot read the art-deco looking sign, half hidden behind a previous wooden framework - which held I suspect the sign of a previous shop. I wonder if this lovely lettering still exists behind the existing signage - I'm sure Drew Pritchard would be interested if it were for sale.

Comment by: Garry on 1st April 2019 at 15:39

I much prefer the top photo from the 1960s by far.
A proper Wigan.

Comment by: DerekB on 1st April 2019 at 15:49

Keith, like yourself I cannot make out with any certainty the art deco signwriting you refer to, but I do remember in the forties there was a shop in this area trading under the name Hollywood Hats. Could this be this signage?

Comment by: Veronica on 1st April 2019 at 16:44

Definitely HOLLYWOOD HATS! Hats off to you - you clever lad...

Comment by: Keith on 1st April 2019 at 16:53

Many thanks and well done DerekB, your eyes are better than mine. I'd certainly say that "Hats" is the last part of the lettering and your suggestion it was Hollywood Hats seems right. On eBay there is a "Bailey of Hollywood Hats" so like many shops its trading seems to have gone online.

Comment by: Philip G. on 1st April 2019 at 19:09

Looks like Derek's nailed it, Keith: Hollywood Hats.

Comment by: Mr X on 1st April 2019 at 22:11

King Street today is predominently bars and nightclubs, with the exception of a couple of solicitors offices. Years ago there was the old Town Hall, Hippodrome theatre, Court Cinema, and County Playhouse. By the 1970s there were two supermarkets, Lennons and Tesco, TSB bank, brewing, decorating and a sweet shop, Dawson's music in the abandoned Grimes Arcade, and Sue Ryder charity shops.

Comment by: t on 2nd April 2019 at 08:31

i'm pretty sure the hollywood hats shop was the british school of motoring in the late 60's

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