Wigan Album
Market Street, Wigan
6 CommentsPhoto: COLIN TRAYNOR
Item #: 34945
I’d forgotten how bland this brick structure was on the corner of Market Street and Woodcock Street.
I this picture was taken around 1982/83
I didn't realise the fish & chip shop had been there so long?
"I’d forgotten how bland this brick structure was on the corner of Market Street and Woodcock Street."
Colin, I definitely hadn't. I strongly disliked that brick structure and always felt it was architecturally unsuitable as it did not fit in at all to the surrounding buildings (Market Hall, Queen's Hall, shops etc.).
I have seen photograps of the shops which were there before the brick structure and it is a crying shame that they were demolished to make way for this bland, prison like, brick structure.
By the way, I always really liked the curved part on the corner of the Market Hall building, which I believe, was added at a later date. I used to go in when it was a cafe and I would always sit next to one of the windows.
Brickies have made a few bob out of Wigan over the years.That must rank as the worst design ever seen in Wigan.
I've been trying to think of the name that was on the side wall Colin, anyhow I eventually found it, and it was 'Wigan Centre Arcade'
I along with other folks hated it too Ian, and later faux Tudor cladding was put up. This photo from Johnson Press and taken by Frank Orrell shows the Market Place entrance: https://nationalworld.newsprints.co.uk/35945211-the-controversial-wigan-centre-arcade-under-construction-in-march-1974/
The name is yet to be put on the front wall, as is the clock face.