Wigan Album

Thanks Paul, not lived in Wigan for almost forty years and seldom get there these days so, this acts as a lovely reminder of when I did frequent various places around the town.

Great photo Paul, lots of landmarks in this shot, the Commercial Yard, the toilets, Woolies, Lowes Department Store, Makinsons Arcade, the Ship, the Old Market and the Market Tavern ( although it probably wasn't called this in '66 ). Speaking of the Market Tavern, you see it nestled in a block of buildings and was the only part to survive the wrecking ball last time. Will it be so lucky this time ?

The Wigan of old that most of us loved but probably didn't appreciate at the time of what we had at our finger tips and footsteps.

WN1. Im pretty sure it was the Market Tavern in 1966. The landlord was Colin ?. He was well known but Ive forgeen his last name as I have been away from Wigan (1970) even longer than wigginlad.

WN1 Standisher, and Carolaen . If it is the public house in Mesnes Street that each of you are referring to. It was the Market Hotel, and Colin Cooke was the landlord.

Carolaen, his name was Colin Cook.

The landlord was Colin Cook. Certainly the Market in 1970.

Thanks Albert. I went in the Market Tavern many times later on in life but was only 6 in 1966 :) Do you think it will evade the wrecking ball a 2nd time ?

WN1 Standisher. The way changes mushroom these days, it is hard to say. There are enough wrecking balls in Blackpool at present, to contend with.

Yes WN1. Was Market Hotel. I was 6 in 1966. Though, I went in in 1976 when Colin still had it. After refurbishment it had to change its name to Tavern: it could not let out rooms to guests. Cannot remember anyone staying there in the late 70s.

Hi Tony, hope you're keeping well and safe. You were marvelous with my Father in Law, salt of the earth mate !! I think my first time in was 77 or 78, a very busy and bustling place. I remember meeting in there, off up town for a few beers before making our way back to Tiffany's. Good times.

WN1. Good thanks and you two? Paths may cross soon? Oh Tiffany's ????

Yes mate we're all fine. Karen sends her love. We look forward to paths crossing soon :)

I wish I knew who you were, WN1 Standisher, as I feel you know ME from comments on Photo-s-day! Is it a secret? xxx

Notable buildings in this picture include the market hall, and Park Hotel, a big building nearby was Crank and Burtons, British Home Stores where B and M is now, Debenhams that was formerly Pendleburys.

Hi Irene. I'm afraid I only know you from PaD although I may have seen you when you worked in Richardson's in Standish, back in the day. If and when the WW get together is arranged I'll make sure I bob over with my Wife and introduce myself. It would be nice to meet you and Peter. Tony G, hopefully you'll be able to pop along for a cheeky gin :)

Oh my word, Standisher....I was only 18-20 when I worked at Richardson's Chemists in Standish and I will be 69 in October, (of course, I haven't changed a bit!). I wonder if you DID come into the Chemists in 1970-1973? I still remember many customers, fifty years on. xx

I would have been in the doctors around that time and my GP would have been Dr Marwick, ( he has a street named after him further down Preston Road ) You would definately been familiar with local businesses like Marsden's papershop, Annie Parks' sweetshop, round the corner Tom Robinsons and Babara's. The Police Station which was always open and the pubs, the Horseshoe ( closed ) and the Globe ( still a pub ) either side. Also not forgetting Farrimonds Fish and Chip shop, best around bar non. Which shop did you work in Irene, was it the main Road shop or when it moved across the way to Church Street ?

It was the main road one...81, High Street. There was a hairdressers next door. I remember Dr. Marwick, Dr. Ormsby, (who told me my name was a great name for peace....Irene was the Greek Goddess of Peace), and Dr. Mc Faul. I could read their writing on prescriptions too, in the days when they were hand-written.....you just got used to it! I remember the papershop, Annie's sweet shop, Tom Robinson's, The Globe, The Horseshoe, The White Duck and Farrimond's Chippy where I went for my dinner most days. Some years ago my friend Neil took me to Standish and we went in Farrimond's.....it was still open then....and it was like a time-warp....it was EXACTLY the same! I remember Barbara's clothes shop and Stretton's wallpaper shop and a little music shop that stood back a little on High Street, selling singles and LPs. I bought a vase from a shop on High Street in 1973 and I still have it. We had scales outside the chemists for people to weigh themselves for a penny....I can't recall if that changed when we went decimal but I vividly remember the day when we did, and the customers were so confused! I remember all the regular the customers and can still see their faces....when the shop first opened they thought I was Mr. Richardson's daughter but we weren't related at all.

Is Compton Street still where it was?. Further along would be Greenough Street, if I’m not mistaken. In every town, so many changes in such a short period of time.

Yes, Albert, Crompton Street is still where it was.