Wigan Album

in the 1970's was there a Wimpey cafe where Sarah Lynns is?

Wasnt Wimpey a bit further up on the left? It is still a cafe today.

I think the Wimpy's was further up the Arcade, on the left with your back to Woodcock St.

Mmmm Mark Willians pork pies.

We'd a joke going at work - Gullicks - for a long time about the 'Harpic jelly' on top of a Mark Williams pork pie. Fred Rothwell and Steve Wharton appreciated a bit of 'Harpic jelly' dressing. Melton Mowbray? I wouldn't give 'em house room. Mi mouth's waterin' thinkin' about one.......all pepper and aspic!

The Wimpey was where the Uptown Diner is now.

Mark Williams' tomato sausages were THE best!!!! Yum Yum!!

I remember the Makinson Arcade well before Wimpey & Harpic jelly !
Where the butchers is in the photo there used to be the Tea & Coffee Importers...the mosaic inset of where the doorway was is still there...or was when I was last in Wigan. Used to go there as a child with my Grandpa Bryson. There were big Chinese pottery jars on a high shelf all around the shop & glass jars for the tea & coffee blends. The tea leaves & coffee beans were weighed on brass scales & put into blue paper bags. The aroma was wonderful. And just in case you are thinking I'm as old as the hills...it really wasn't all that long ago ! Times change.

Helen, I remember the Tea and Coffee importers too, as you were rounding the corner off of Market St, or coming down the Arcade,you were greeted with that wonderful aroma.. Wigan was at its best those days...

The tea & coffee shop was actually Makinsons thus the arcade name.

It was Makinson's Dave and their own blend of tea was superb.

'ere 'ere Jam, MWs tomato sausages WERE the best.

The "Wimpy" was the next shop up the Arcade from Sarah Lynns and if you blow up and lighten the picture you can actually see the "Wimpy"

I'm going back 50+years, but wasn't there a Wimpys or some place like that , down near what used to be C and A's ?

The original Wimpey Bar was underneath what was the King of Clubs in King st, it later became the Beir Keller (lowenbrau- German for luny juice !!!!) I think its called Liquid these days, the place that is, not the drink

davec, that one was opened long before it became the king of Clubs...It was still the "Bodega" then.
The Wimpey counter was introduced in 1959/60, Gordon Tyrer was the 1st chef

You are right with were the 1st Wimpy was dave,but it was the Bodega when the Wimpy opened,then the Kink of Clubs.

So if it wasn't Wimpy's by C and A, what was it? The time frame is right, 58 to 60..I used to have to go the the Infirmary every week for injections, I met a lad there, he had to go every week like me and afterwards, we would walk back to Wigan and stop for something to eat and drink..So if it wasn't Wimpy's, does anybody know what it was?

Janet wrote:
Comments by janet, 2nd August 2010
So if it wasn't Wimpy's by C and A, what was it? The time frame is right, 58 to 60..I used to have to go the the Infirmary every week for injections, I met a lad there, he had to go every week like me and afterwards, we would walk back to Wigan and stop for something to eat and drink..So if it wasn't Wimpy's, does anybody know what it was?

This was on Woodcock Street Janet when Mark Williams had moved to there from Standishgate or they may have had the two shops open? I can't recall there being a cafe by C & A's but I do recall there being one across the road from there, it has been discussed on the General board at one time, but I can't remember the name. Someone may recall it.

I've just had a google search Janet and there was a cafe where R. O. Lace's shop was which was next to C & A's, it was called Dickylees cafe, whether this was the correct name or a nickname I don't know.

Thanks Cyril...Yes I know the photo was on Woodcock st, it was the mention of Wimpy's, that got me remembering about a little cafe next to C & A's. I don't remember the name of it,( it was a long time ago ) but I thought it may have been Wimpy's...At least now I know for sure there was a cafe there and that I've not completely lost my mind...

does anyone remember the shop that sold umbrellas and hand bags? you could take your brolly there to be mended.there was also a baby clothes shop.

Margaret, wasn't that The Royal Arcade with the baby clothes shop? Or perhaps there was one in the Makinson Arcade too. There was a shop in the Royal Arcade called The Bonnet Box, selling handbags.....still is, but it's now housed in the old Baby Clothes shop. Can't recall handbag-mending, but sure you're right. Isn't it lovely, all of us recalling old times and sharing memories?

Wasn't there also a flower shop in the arcade, on the right a few doors up from Makinsons ? The name was Moss, maybe ?You could smell the flowers as you got near the shop. This was back in the early 50's.

Cyril..The cafe on the opposite side of Standishgate, which was across the road from the White Horse, was "The Gate Cafe", owned by the Greens family, who had a snack bar on Hope St near the bus station.
Three of the daughters ran the Gate, I've forgot their names, but no doubt as I submit this post, they'll come back to me..;o)

The gate cafe was run by Rita and Elsie Green. They married two of the Rainford brothers.

Can any of you ladies remember the name of the ladies dress shop at the bottom of Makinsons Arcade. It was at the bottom on the right hand side opposite the Market Hall.

They're the ones David, & Alma as well..cheers ;o)

Thanks Art. Did you ever know Tommy Farrimond, used to work in the bookies above Conroys fruiterers in Market street? He used the Gate cafe as well.

Was he a little slim chap? A 'Tommy' used to sit & chat with us (about 5/6 lads) over a coffee, nice chap, this would have been the mid '50's. Dunno' what he did for a living tho'..
Going back a bit...innit ;o)

He was on the little side, curly hair, lived off Frog lane. Used to chat to Kay from the Commercial pub. His brother Billy, died quite young.

Hi Janet
The Burger Bar I remember on that site was called The Egg and Flitch

Hi Tricia, Thanks for that, I don't remember the name of the place, I remember having burgers there, but I always thought the first burger I had was a Wimpy burger... ( I used to love those)..So that's why I thought it was Wimpy's...

Hi Janet
I think I had my first cheeseburger in the Egg and Flitch. I passed it every day on my way to school.
On reflection I think it may have become a Wimpy later on.

Helen, I only recall the flower shop as Higham's. Linma, yes I remember the dress shop; I went in once and the assistant was really pushy and I walked out without buying anything. I thought no-one else remembered that shop!

Thanks Irene, I couldn't really remember the name of the flower shop, did they have another florists down on the left before you came to Wallgate railway bridge? I wish we could step back in time for a short while & see what Wigan was like back then in the 40/50's

I remember a flower shop on the right hand side, going up from the Market....don't remember the names ( I'm bad with names )I love the smell of flowers and especially liked it in the spring time with loads of daffodils ( my favourite flower).. I think it was still there when I left Wigan and the country in 1975..

Not sure about the other flower shop, Helen. but if you ever find the portal into the past, like Gary Sparrow did on Goodnight Sweetheart, wait for ME!

i remember the flower shop in wallgate but dont remember the name. highams had a stall under the veranda in the old market nere the fish shops.there was also redicut wool shop in the arcade. i use to always go there for my wool as you could lay it away for a month and just get what you needed when you needed it.

I'm the same Margaret...don't always remember names. The flowershop near Wallgate railway bridge also had a bus stop outside & I think there was a cafe next to the flower shop, I can remember waiting for a Ribble bus to Holland Moor.

Irene...don't worry, if I find that portal of Gary's I will give you a shout !!

Helen, I would like to go along with you and Irene if you wouldn't mind....

Hi Irene Roberts (Griffiths). The things we remember. My dad bought me one Christmas a red dress from Joan Barries. I thought I was posh. On New Years Eve went to the Casino wearing that dress. The day after the lad I was courting said the front of his white shirt and his vest had turned pink, the dye had come out of my luverly frock. Needless to say it went back to the shop. Joan Barries was a shop I just looked in the window cos it was dear and my posh frock was my first and only purchase from there. Luverly memories.

Course you can come along Janet, maybe we could get a charabang organised ! I just love W W.

Thank you Helen,,I love WW also, my daily link to home...

Janet, you are welcome to join Helen and me on the Time Machine! Linda, I remember Joan Barries well and think I have a clip of it on my "Bygone Wigan" video. There was also a dress shop near the the old BHS store, called Van Allen's. Timpson's and Freeman, Hardy and Willis shoe shops were in the same row.

Irene where can I get a copy of a ' Bygone
Wigan ' video ? Would love to see it all again as it was in my memory.

Will try to find out Helen. Please email me irene.roberts2@virgin.net

Bob A: there is still a Mark Williams butchers in Orchard Street, Preston and you can still buy tomato sausages.

Irene Roberts - was Val Allen's dress shop the one at the bottom of the arcade?

Glad you've given me the opportunity to make it 50 comments on this posting...not many get to 50! Van Allens was on Standishgate, opposite Marks and Spencer, round about where the entrance to The Galleries is now. BHS, Freeman, Hardy and Willis and also Timpson's shoe shop were along the same stretch. I can't recall the name of the dress shop at the bottom of the arcade.

Before the 80s, you could get anything you wanted in Wigan, it was a great place to shop..Lot's of little different shops, places to eat, go for a drink, dance, pictures and live shows..Wigan was hard to beat back then..now it's just a sorry mess and it's heartbreaking for the ones who remember how good it used to be..

The coffee bar near C & A was called the Egg n Flitch. Met my future husband there. Just celebrated our Golden Wedding this year!!!!!

I workd ar Margaret's Hat and Dress Shop until 1960 to leave for Aust. with parents. No one seems to remember it but it was a great start to my working life and enjoyed every minute of living in Ashton . Margaret had another shop in Mesnes street. Wish someon remebered it.

Can anyone remember Makinsons Arcade being privately owned and closed to the public for a full day every 12 months to prevent it becoming a public right of way.