Wigan Album

JUST REALISED THAT IF YOU INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE MAP YOU LOSE SOME DEFINITION. IF ANYONE WANTS A BETTER IMAGE EMAIL ME

Ron, thankyou so much for taking the trouble to do this for us all. Most Wigan World Album followers love to be reminded of the shops we once knew, and enjoy reminiscing with each other about the, so these maps are brilliant! I have no idea how to increase the size of the maps, so I have dug out the ancient magnifying glass that was in the house I grew up in in Ince, and which I still have, so will have a good look later today to study them. Is your email available on Wigan World somewhere if needed?

I was reminiscing looking at all the shops we had. We were so lucky to have had so many. Very intriguing looking at these maps.

Irene I have just emailed you the map. If you have a wheel on your mouse just turn it when you have opened the file Otherwise right click on the image and you should be able to increase the size You will find it a lot clearer.

I've got the emails Ron, and will enjoy studying the maps later today.....how kind of you to do that, THANKYOU!

Looking at the map and comparing it to the 1959/60 town map I have, a lot had changed in the 20 years. On Hope Street by Morrisons Car park stands the Ribble Travel Centre . Every January in the late 50's/early 60's they used to put on a free Travel Show at the Hope St. School. It lasted about 2 hrs and showed films of various places, both home & abroad, where one could holiday then. In 1961 they had one of the brand new "Gay Hostess" bus parked outside the school so you could inspect it. Did anyone go to these events? They were well attended in the 3 years I visited it. Did the school /Church get demolished as it's not shown on the '83 map.

Just to reiterate what Irene and Veronica have said - it's interesting to look at all the town centre shops and reflect on how useful and worthy were the goods and services they offered.

Shoe shops, department stores, Dunn & Co (specialising in trousers with waistbands up to your chest), Dixons cameras, Leyland Wallpaper & Paint. And building societies a-plenty, where thrifty citizens could squirrel away some savings before heading off to Boardman's Carpets, H. Plumb or the Norweb Showroom for some home improvements (or maybe to Oliver Somers if Christmas was coming) without a maxed-out credit card in sight.

How did we manage without cheek-by-jowl bookmaker's shops, vape shops or nail salons?

E.E. Don't forget about the Turkish barbers....

There where more bookies in Wigan 20yrs ago than now?

Please Ron,I would love one when you're passing..and thank you very much.