Wigan Album

Marguerite, are you sure this was taken in 74? I lived on Upper Dicconson St ( only a 5 min walk from the Arcades) until Dec 75 and have absolutely no memory of the Galleries being built. Hope I'm not losing my mind.....

Written on the photograph it says 'NEW WIGAN PRECINCT '74' So I'm presuming it is the Galleries?

Sorry Ron, just now noticed it was you who submitted the photos....

I think in 74 this would be part of the Marketgate complex which combined with the Galleries when they were built later.

I've just googled and the Galleries shopping Centre opened in 1991....I feel better now, knowing I haven't lost my mind.. :-)

I was originally called The Centre Arcade, and later became Marketgate. It was long before The Galleries.

This two level new shopping centre was completed in 1974. It was built on the on Commercial Yard and, Market Arcade site. It was the new Wigan shopping centre. Everyone knew it has the 'New Precinct'!!! Complete with an updated CO OP, and two good record shops!!!!!!!

It was originally called 'The Wigan Centre Arcade' and it opened circa 1973.

"and two good record shops" ,,, I can only remember one record shop in there at that time (1974) which was 'Javelin Records'

It was the Wigan Centre Arcade and did indeed open around 1973. The Co-op had a fair chunk of it till around 1989 when the place was radically re-modelled and became The Marketgate Centre.

On the lower floor were Walco, Johnson's Dry Cleaners, Stolen from Ivor, and Sweeten's book shop where my Mum worked for a while. There was a little news agent stall under the escalator as well, I think

It was the Wigan Centre (Now called marketgate) The horrible concrete facade was replaced. I spent my hard earned pocket money in Chelsea Girl.

I worked in Bambers in the early 80's (later to become book clearance), opposite Chelsea girl, next to Jailbird and Martins the news agents was at the end, Manfield shoes was on the corner and further up was etams. Happy days

I met The Dooleys in Martins newsagents that had a record department.