Wigan Album
Market Place, Wigan
19 CommentsPhoto: RON HUNT
Item #: 29997
Ron, to the left of Baker's Jewel Casket there are two shops, then what appears to be a gap before the next shop, (Greenwood's?), Was that gap the entrance to Commercial Yard? Peter worked down there at Sawbridge's Butchers as a young lad in the 1960s,
Yes it was Irene, which included my favourite Wigan pub, The Commercial.
My wife worked in Baker's jewellers, late fifties, early sixties. Then she was Veronica Ashcroft.
A great pub, The Commercial. Frequented it during the fifties, and early sixties, especially prior to going off to dance the night away at the Emp. I believe the Conservative Club was also in Commercial Yard.
The shop on the opposite side of the Commercial Yard entrance to Greenwood's was Waterworths who sold fruit and vegetables.
Having mentioned my wife's maiden name, ASHCROFT it may be unusual, or maybe not, but every letter in her new married name SHORT, is in her maiden name.
A page will turn , a day will go..a year will catch the wind , but you
will stay , never changed , JUST the same , forever , forever and more ..
The conservative club was at the bottom end ; there was also a barbers in the commercial yard , I think it was called moot hall
Plus Crank & Burtons before they moved to Woodcock Street.
I just love From Where's poems.
There used to be a tobacconist shop at the entrance to Commercial Yard next to Waterworth's Fruit and Veg, single storey building like a lean to.
I like the poem too. It reminds me of one I learned at school about a brook: "For men may come and men may go, but I go on forever".
Going down Commercial Yard from Market Place there was a tobacconist, a barbers and Mc Gregors who sold wallpaper, paint and decorating materials.
DerekB,
And a pet shop.
It was a good shortcut to Latimer's grocers at the bottom end. There was a few interesting passageways in Wigan that have disappeared,and they gave such a lot of character to the town.
Where Commercial Yard turned on to Market Street there used to be Shannon's, they sold dry goods, yeast, meal and dog biscuits, stuff like that.
Bought my engagment ring there in 1974. It cost £55. Can you imagine that now!
Looks like there were empty shops in those days.
So there were empty shops in those days