Wigan Album

Strange how empty buildings can mysteriously catch fire and then the land sold to a developer.

Now a sprawling housing estate, just off Whitley Crescent, did it manage 30 years ? The same thing happened to the Clubhouse at Standish Golf Club, and again is now a housing estate. I wonder if someone gets paid handsomely to get creative with the swan vestas !

I worked in construction for long enough to know empty buildings are magnets for arsonists. In some cases an empty building costs more to insure than an occupied one for this very reason. Vagrants move in and light fires for warmth and too cook and without pest control rodents start chewing through electrical cables.

WN1, two more if my memory serves me right, Standish Conservative Club and Gathurst Service Station.
PS. WN1, regarding Rev Long's photo of the demolished council houses site on AB rd, they were demolished many years ago, you say you remember when, i can't, can you say approximately when please ?

Think it was in the process of being demolished when it “caught fire”. Saved them a few days work I guess. I actually salvaged a few bricks , so WHS lives on in the back of my fireplace and garden wall!

Roy, I remember going to a party at the property next door in 1977 and they were still up then, so i'm thinking 1979/80 approx. Hope this helps.

Thank you WN1, a friend of mine who lived close thinks about the same.

You're welcome Roy.

The main stand at Springfield Park also succumbed to fire after the Latics moved out.