Wigan Album

I believe there WAS a fire, somewhere around the time of the Carnival Programme, so I wonder if that's why Pendlebury's address on here is Market Square rather than Standishgate? Did they perhaps move temporarily whilst the fire-damage was rectified? I'm sure someone will know.

Remember Pendleburys used to go in there often with Mum.....ah memories...... :)

Pendlebury's fire was in 1953. Coronation Year, Hilary conquered Everest England won the ashes and Pendlebury's burnt down.

Pendlebury's took over the old Rushton building after the fire. I think that the fire occurred on the Bank holiday weekend, because my wife and I were going to New Brighton and we went to look at the burnt out building before catching the train. One bizarre thing that we noticed was a red and yellow sun blind at one of the upstairs windows. It must have been the only thing that escaped the flames. On the night of the fire, my brother and I went down to Wigan on his motorbike. We couldn't get any nearer than Station Road due to the police cordon. As we stood there there were pieces of burning debris coming down on the roadway where we were stood.

fred,,always had in my mind that it burnt down between christmas and new year,,,,