Wigan Album

Lower Ince, heading towards the Black Diamond pub - maybe?

Frank, it could be Manchester Road, Higher Ince, I worked for the Wigan Co-op as a 15 year old in 1962, this looks like the store I worked at for a week or so - covering for holidays.

Is that a Vauxhall 101 in the shot? ( sorry Frank ).

No problem Ozy, it's great that people love to identify any vehicles in pictures. It adds to the interest.

Ozymondias, it is not a Vauxhall Victor 101, it is the Vauxhall Victor first introduced about 1962. The 101 came along in 1965 or thereabouts.

If we're in Warrington Road, would that street on the left be Bryn Street? And would this site now be occupied by McColls? Just guessing.

No, I don't think this is Ince, Higher or Lower, but I am happy to be corrected if I am wrong.

Very atmospheric photo. I just noticed the "Beech Nut" chewing gum machine on the wall just above the car boot. haven't seenone of those in years,

This looks like the Co-op that was in Catherine Street off Schofield Lane (near St Catharine's School), and facing Holland Steet, the street to the left being Linney Street, next door to this was H. Ainscough's a small grocers shop. I'm pretty much sure with the info I have given. Regards to all.

There are very similar buildings on Manchester Road Ince still standing. On one corner there is a very old pub(1860) boarded up and used as a warehouse.?

You could be right Methinks I remember those shops - there was another shop as well owned by Bambers out of the picture to the right. We used to congregate at the front of it. Could be anywhere though at that time.

Iremember a shop in whelley like this one, the street on the left went down to whelley school.

could be before 1971 going off the prices in shop window its the old currency prices

Tom, don't think this is the Co-op in Whelley. There were several depts. in the Whelley Co-op and the last one was the shoe repair one which ended on the left at the top of Thompson St

It's definitely Catherine Street, probably 1966-67 as it looks empty ready for demolition. Veronica your correct about Bamber's outdoor licence, which was opposite the side of St Catherine's Church on Lorne Street. Regards

I could never forget Bamber's shop Methinks as I went through the window! A few of us used to hang out around the window and a young lad pulled me with my scarf and then let go - result I was encased in the window luckily I wasn't hurt. The rest of the kids scarpered, hiding behind the gravestones in St. Catharine's churchyard. Mr Bamber's was a lovely man but we all had to pay him 3 shillings to pay for the window! There was a lot of empty bottles taken back to pay the money to him and he trusted us to pay up which we did. He didn't shout and bawl at us either - I think he was glad that I wasn't hurt. That would be about 1960 before leaving school.

I agree with Irene, neither of the Ince shops. I think methinks is correct. Veronica, the warehouse was Mortoms

Veronica I am sure the road in front of of the the shops was a cobbled one of my mates was related to the bambers

Yes I think you are right Alan -Methinks is spot on. The road was cobbled at that time Tom and the reason we hung out there was because the window was lit up. I remember speaking to Mr Bamber's daughter about the broken window about 15 years ago when I was in the Halifax branch in Wigan as she worked there. I don't think she remembered the incident though or she didn't let on! He was a nice man Mr Bamber anybody else would have sent for the police - but it was an accident -there was nothing wilful about it and I have never forgotten it.

Tom,most of the streets were cobbled around that area, but they were eventually 'Tarmacked' over before demolition began.Veronica had to smile with 'plenty bottles going back' was it 3d for each one returned?

I think it was a penny for a milk bottle and three pence for a Guinness bottle and a bit of baby sitting money. I think he gave us a week to come up with the money. We daren't have told our mam's and dads. If I'm not mistaken the window was in three parts so it was the middle section. Good job it wasn't a full plate glass window! Looking back it must have been a real inconvenience for them.

Another great photography Frank, thanks for uploading it and all the others.

My wife lived in Holland St and she agrees with all the comments regarding the location and Ainscoughs shop and the coop.
Great photo,very nostalgic.

Trust YOU to end up through the window, Veronica...that made me laugh! xx.

It was like one of those cartoons with the shape of my head and shoulders in the window! One of those memories that stay with you Irene as well as getting my head stuck in the railings down near the 'Duggie'... Mind you I was only little then!

Your spot on methinks first time I saw this it is Catherine Street and top of Linney street where I used to live great seeing this again