Wigan Album

I knew ‘corner shops’ would sneak back at some point. It could never beat Lizzie Green’s shop next door to the Girl’s school back in the day. I wonder
what she would think of the above grocers.

I can't believe this is now a shop.I remember Lizzy Green, Veronica, she used to throw too toffees at you for a penny from a big jar,and if we were a bit flushed we might get a Sherbert Dip.

It amazes me that folk think things have improved as time has passed !

What a sight looks very rough and scruffy this is what we get now when different people run these shops our own people used to have them clean and tidy, i bet there are rats there.

An old mate of mine used to call this place his local. I wonder what he'd make of it's current purpose ?

Thanks Ron for merging these two pictures for comparison. I did respond yesterday but it doesn't seem to have got through.
My parents had the Black Bull in the late 1930's until my dad was called up in the early 1940's. My eldest brother was born in there in 1940, tragically my grandmother on my father side had fell down the cellar and died a few week s later. I don't know what any of them would make of it or Hardybutts today.
I particularly like the ornate lamp hanging on the corner and wonder if this was gas or electric at that time.
I was last in there when it was a pub in 2003, looks very run down but I suppose it serves a purpose to the local community as there aren't many other shops in the area if any! At least it has not been demolished and you never know what the future might hold for it, hopefully something better.

The steep ‘brew’ at the side of the pub was always called ‘Bull Brew’. I remember the houses at the side behind the railings. Interesting places around this area with the ‘Blind’ steps as well. As kids in the holidays we would ramble around discovering places to play. We were never bored that’s for sure.
The pub in the photo looks clean and well maintained. I wonder what happened to those windows with the bulls imprinted in the glass.
Miss Hunt’s toffee shop
was just along that row which was demolished. She was a kindly lady we went in that shop a lot. I remember buying tiger nuts from there in a 2oz paper bag. Somethings stay with you forever.

Veronica, the steep brew at the side is Edwin Street. At the bottom is Darlington Street East.

Unofficially Colin we as kids would say ‘Bull Brew’ I think most folk would say that .. I still get mixed up with Roscoe St and Edwin St. to this day. ..I think they are still cobbled as well.

I-think it was called
‘ Piggy Brew ‘ as well but ‘ Bull Brew ‘ is what we would call it. It’s so long ago…too far in-the past to be accurate.