Wigan Album

This photograph of King Street was taken after August 1975 as the car turning into Rodney Street is a Toyota Celica, MCW278P. A Triumph 2000 Mk1 is parked outside Lennon's supermarket, and there is also a Ford Granada Mk1 (Sweeney car). The town hall is just out of the picture on the right, now demolished. Lennons was on the site of the Hippodrome theatre, and I don't know when the buildings opposite were built that include a newsagent.

That's how I remember King St..the very last time I went there was about five years ago and all you could smell going up was urine and we saw vomit outside Grimes Arcade..an absolute disgrace since the nightclubs took over..I don't care if I never see King Street again.

Agreed, Maureen. I remember going to The Court Cinema and The County in the 1960s, and going with my Mam across the railway bridge that links King Street and Wallgate, with the engines shunting underneath, and the steam, and our coats used to feel damp when we got to the other side. I commented recently on facebook about this, and how I feel I would like another nostalgic stroll over the bridge, and I was advised not to, to avoid all the needles and drugs paraphernalia. For all the re-development, I think we knew Wigan at its best. Progress, Maureen?.....I don't think so.

The last time I was in King St on foot was on a rainy winter afternoon a few years ago and, even in the daytime, with some of the dodgy looking characters who were around I felt very apprehensive and that it wasn't a particularly safe to be. Unbelievable when you think how it used to be.

Used to stack shelves after school early 70`s,Loved it,Great people

Frank, great photos, are you in a Hillman Avenger.

King Street in the late fifties, early sixties, was a beat on its own, you would inter change with the constable on point, opposite the Clarence Hotel. In those days Wigan had one hundred a fifty officers’ from the Chief downwards, covering Central, Newtown, and Pemberton. A police man was always close at hand. It was a happy force. I only left because the writing was on the wall for it to be amalgamated with a larger police force, and you didn’t know what the future held. In 1969 it became part of Lancashire Constabulary, and a few years later, Greater Manchester.

Gary thanks and I'm not sure what make the car was. It was being driven by a reporter. We did have a company car which was an Avenger and was for general use by all editorial staff. I'm fascinated to know how you guessed it was that make of car just from that picture.

Frank, I used to own an Avenger and this car your in look very much that make of car.
The shape of the wings, the bonnet and windscreen is the clue. I think I'm right with this one, well 99%.