Wigan Album

Griston Hotel Magees.
Beautiful colour work keith.

By "Griston", do you mean the building in question,. Malc, where the Ordnance Survey man is kneeling? Because the one behind it is The Millstone. Apologies if I've got mixed up....I'm not quite sure which building you are referring to.

I thought it was the nearer building that was being queried?

It IS the nearer building that is being queried, Strangeloop, but I don't recognise the name "Griston" which Malc mentioned , and I thought Malc had perhaps mis-read the name on the sign on the farther building.

I may have got it wrong, I thought the build next to where the gentleman is walking. Apologies.

According to the 1869 directory The Millstone is number 67 Wigan Lane and next door at 65 is John Robinson beer retailer.

A great example of a Victorian shop front, shame it’s all gone. For more examples here’s a link https://uk.pinterest.com/alannriley/victorian-shop-fronts/

I am without doubt a non expert on the identification of types of cars. However, I seem to recall the car that is parked on the left of this photo intrigued me since I was sure I recognised it but could not name it. At first I thought it might be a Riley but further research on the internet seems to indicate it’s a Citroën, Traction Avant, no less. It has the steering wheel on “our side” so perhaps these were made in France for export to the UK. I stand to be corrected.

The building at the other side of the passageway on the right is The Millstone.
The building on this side of the passageway again on the right looks as if it also might have been a pub, there is detail in the moulding over the door but I can't quite make it out.
Since those days it has either been rebuilt or had the frontage modified at some. Today it's the Peking House Chinese takeaway, many Wiganers might remember it years ago as 'Jimmy's' Chinese, a lovely little friendly guy who had a big smile and word with all his regular customers.

The pub next to the Millstone, 65 Wigan Lane, was the Admiral Napier which closed in 1946. It was originally a Fairhurst brewery pub but by the 1920s was a Jones' of Knotty Ash brewery pub. The earliest reference to the pub I can find was in 1858. Not sure what the pub was used for after it closed.

Great info Paul.
Thanks for that.

Apparently, for those like me, who didn’t know, Admiral Charles Napier (1786-1860) was a Liberal MP and perhaps the most well known naval officer in Victorian times. He spent 60 years in the navy and was involved in the Napoleonic, Syrian and Crimean wars. He was an innovator in the development of iron ships, and an advocate of humane reform in the Royal Navy. He had a fascinating life which perhaps matched his character.

Paul, "Admiral Napier" was mentioned by Cyril, which was regarding another photograph of this part of Wigan Lane. When I read Cyril's words and the name of the pub being the "Admiral Napier" it rang a bell.

Thank you for the information, Paul. I was amazed to read your words and the date "The pub next to the Millstone, 65 Wigan Lane, was the Admiral Napier which closed in 1946", because it was decades later when I saw the empty pub. But, I remember some shops and some houses were empty for years, possibly decades, such as the two large houses on Standishgate which are next to Bradshaigh House and which are almost opposite Mab's Cross Primary School.