Login   |   Register   |   
Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Lodging House

12 Comments

ROYAL GEORGE
ROYAL GEORGE
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 1,956
Item #: 33621
Entrance to the The Royal George Lodging House. Hardybutts, Scholes. 1960's

Comment by: Veronica on 4th April 2022 at 11:07

I always ran past here, but always noticed out the corner of my eye there was always a roaring coal fire blazing away.... doors wide open!

Comment by: Albert.S. on 4th April 2022 at 14:58

Was this aways a common lodging house. It always seemed a building built originally for a much more special purpose.

Comment by: Cyril on 5th April 2022 at 20:15

Veronica, I too would have ran very quickly if I had to pass by, it looks very despiriting and I could imagine that it had "All hope abandon ye who enter here” over the doorway before Royal George was painted on.

I've heard tales of folks sleeping in there with their arms over a rope that was tied between walls and at the time I didn't actually believe it, but it's so true and was called a tuppeny hangover.

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Two-Penny-Hangover/

Comment by: Veronica on 5th April 2022 at 22:10

At least they had a roof over their heads Cyril. Even if they don't have the fancy trappings these days that the immigrants have in the old 'new' police station Hotel.

Comment by: Linma on 6th April 2022 at 07:06

So sad and so grateful for what I have today.

Comment by: Dave johnson on 6th April 2022 at 22:28

Cyril I heard it referred to as a tuppeny lean. I was told that the last resident was a bloke named Joe Gough who ended up living in worsley mesnes.

Comment by: Tom on 7th April 2022 at 19:20

Worked with Joe gough on cortaulds new factory when it was being built in skem, he looked after the canteen he used to put 2 eggs in a sock put them in the boiler which we brewed our tea .

Comment by: Dave johnson on 7th April 2022 at 22:20

That's him Tom ha ha.

Comment by: Tom on 8th April 2022 at 09:23

He also had a son named Joe

Comment by: Dave johnson on 9th April 2022 at 00:07

Tom that's right, he lived on Worsley Mesnes as well.

Comment by: Anni on 2nd June 2022 at 19:47

I am an ‘ex-pat’ and have only just found this site.
Just looking at this picture I can smell the Royal George. The place fascinated me. The front door was always open. I desperately wanted to look inside. Never did though.

Comment by: Jackie Webb (Lees) on 23rd March 2023 at 00:49

My Grandad & Grandmother owned it
William Lees & Mary Lees
My dad grew up there and still alive today! John Lees Age 97yrs
I’m just in process of writing a book about it..
It was very well kept & clean a lot Irish immigrants came over looking for work & lodged there..
My grandad owned house on Silver Street and ran this mostly on his own..
Some fantastic characters and my dad helping me now with his stories so many..
Prior to what people thought it had its own little shop inside home cooked food inspected every week from inspection officers and very well looked after & clean ..
I remember going there to visit grandad in 1960s seeing all the tiny little cubicles.. over 68 people could stay and my grandad sent them to have a bath at Wigan Baths if they were dirty before they could stay!
My dad has such fond memories and made lots of money from the Irish coming over to work but most went back home few stayed on.,,
Soooo many stories to share and hopefully open people eyes and show people what it was really like unlike the old tales.. There was a blacksmith too in there and made clogs!
????????

Leave a comment?

* Enter the 5 digit code to the right of the input box. Don't worry if you make a mistake, you will get another chance. Your comments won't be lost.