Wigan Album

This answers C J Alan's question as he asked in the TSB photo, it was the Nat West on the corner of King Street/Wallgate. I remember the building being for a short time in the late 1990s an Irish pub and doing a roaring trade selling Poitin along with the fights, I never went in there but remember around that time buying bottles of Poitin from Tesco Wigan Extra, I didn't see it on the shelves again and when |I enquired was told it had been withdrawn from sale by the government, though it is now available again at some pubs/bars and retailers, though in all essence it is just another Vodka in looks and taste. Seems that spirit drinks come and go in fashion as do clothes, with Jägermeister and Tequila coming and going equally, now it's the flavoured Gins, though now I'm more than content with a bitter lemon and soda.

But it WAS District Bank before that business merged into 'Westminster Bank'

I went in what was bank when it was the O"Neil's pub, they did a nice pint of Guinness in there, who does the nasty coach belong to ? thanks for pic Frank.

A 1971/72 Mk3 Ford Cortina, probably the base 1300 two door, registration number unclear, in contrast was the top of range American looking four door 2000 GXL.

I'd have a punt at CKX 92K, Mr X but it doesn't check out

Yes, it WAS District Bank at one time....I had an interview there when I left school in 1969.

it,s not your dad,s is it dav ? .

Hi WN1, The number plate looks more like CXX 92K, which
would have been a London registration number. Cheers, Ray.

Tried that as well Ray, that didn't check out either

My brother in law had one of these cars, in 1973. I thought it was posh!! Wonder was it him.

Hi WN1, Just had another look in my pre 1974 registration book
and KX is listed as Buckinghamshire and XX is London. Cheers, Ray.

My very last car was a Ford Cortina..I loved it.

Ha ha, don't think so Bri he wouldn't have drove around in a coach that dirty, mind you he always had me to clean in 70s, it looks like a vehicle belonging to smiths of Wigan as they was only operators to have curtains fitted at that time.

"Ullo John! Gotta new motor"?
"Yeah, it's a Cortina".

Looks like CXY to me?

You hit the post with that one too Rich !

No way is that Mr Lewis s coach gerry wouldn't have looking like that

It was a lot smarter in those days not like it is today. The road should be put back to 2 way traffic along with a lot more streets in the town centre to make it more accessable to people.

Cyril thanks for the mention.

Regarding the licenced premises after the Natwest bank closed - I believe initially it was called O'Neills and had an Irish theme. After that I am sure it became a Czechoslovakian theme bar that I seem to recall was named 'Czech' or something similar. The layout inside was made up of old oak paneling and wooden floors with two separate rooms divided by a central bar area.

They had a giant version of 'Jenga' in the back room which is perhaps not an ideal environment when you take into consideration the blocks made a huge noise when they collapsed on the wooden flooring and the game was being played by intoxicated people.

It was then refurbished and opened as a 70s music theme bar called 'Flares' sometime in the 2000s, before it was changed to 'Reflex' (an 80s theme bar) and in the last few years has changed it's name (again) to 'Popworld' (which is 90s music themed).

CJ