Wigan Album

Hello Ron,
remember going to this building around 1954, I was with my mum and she was buying? (national powdered baby milk) this was for my sister who would be 1 at that time, we went through a big door on the right corner of the building, inside the milk was passed over a counter.

Are you sure that was the building, Hilary? The Welfare Clinic was in Millgate....I vaguely remember my Mam getting Orange Juice from there when I was a very small child. It was a a very sweet, unforgettable concentrated Orange Juice that you diluted with water, but it was definitely from Millgate, near to the old Baths. Maybe it was where you say originally, and later moved to Millgate, in which case I apologise if I have got it wrong.

I remember the clinic in Millgate. Orange Juice which was concentrated. Codliver Oil and jars of Malt we used to get from there. I loved the malt we had a big spoonful every night before bed. I can remember the National Dried Milk in those tall tins for babies as well. I believe it was all free.I don’t remember the building being anything other than Woolworths. It looks like a separate building though on the photo.

On the other site ( last night) someone suggested it was a hotel.

I can vaguely remember a back entrance to Woolworths. However did Woolworths extend to where that building is? It still doesn’t answer your question though

I'm pretty sure that building was a storeroom. In the 1960s. Delivery vehicles went in though the entrance - the large dark rectangle immediately to the left of the Ritz. Also just to the left of the mystery building you can clearly see the rear entrance door for the general public in the building with lighter brickwork.

Marks and Spencer delivery and storage.

Brucie, I originally thought that as I was sure that I'd read somewhere about M&S being in Station Road at one time, - ( but what was the building in the 1950s and before?,) and when Douglas Terrace had been demolished they then able to extend their store, and with Woolworth's having an extension to their store here, Woolworths store was then from Standishgate and went along Station Road to the Ritz. However I can't find any reference to that other than when Marks & Spencers in the late 1990s to early 2000s extended their store into this part of what was then WH Smith, before becoming connected to the Grand Arcade. see photo:- https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/newgallery/photo.php?opt=1&id=809&gallery=Wigan+Town+Centre+%28pre+Grand+Arcade%29&page=1

I used to go in Marks cafe over looking the Grand Arcade it was small but nice to look out of the window. When that changed I transferred to Debenhams and looked over Scholes and on a clear day I could see Haigh Hall. ;o)

Woolworths in Wigan closed in 1984 for some reason but other towns had their Woolworths until 2009. In 1985 John Menzies opened here but remember it not being as long as the old Woolworths that had an escalator to the first floor. Woolworths had two small entrances in Station Road. but later closed to reduce the number of thefts so only the main front entrance remained. I think the rear of Woolworths had a big door for delivery vehicles to enter.

It is marked Employment Exchange on 1940 map.

Mr X

I seem to recall there was mention of why Woolworths left Wigan in 1984 on this site a while ago, but I forget the exact reasons.

I do recall John Menzies being quite huge and stretching a good way into the rear of the premises, but I believe WHSmiths reduced the store capacity about 20 years ago when they took it over from Menzies.

CJ

Read this thread -

https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/communicate/mb_message.php?opt=f2&msd=1418731&page=5&subject=Woolworths,%20Station%20Road.

In the thread there is a mention of an alley between the Ritz and Woolworths, apparently or so I've read in an article about this alley, you could get to Douglas Terrace or Crompton Street or carry on to Standishgate, or the other way round if needs be, you can see the alley entrance/exit on this photo between Marks & Spencer and Lotus shoes.

https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=3&id=32023&gallery=Marks+%2526+Spencers&offset=40

I can't remember this alley and wouldn't have had any need to go along it anyway.

Cyril there wasn't an alley between the Ritz and Woolworths The alley way was next to Marks and Spencers. as shown on the image you linked to. Which at the time led to the back of the RITZ, Douglas terrace, and Crompton St. You can see the row of houses in Douglas Terrace,,just behind the highlighted building.
There was also an entrance to the M&S store from the alley. When my mother worked at M&S she had the keys to the gate to the alleyway. The night the Beatles appeared at then RITZ she was told by the manager to leave it open, to allow the Beatles to "ESCAPE" from the back door of the RITZ after the show. Their van was parked outside on M&S in Standishgate.. Whilst all the girls were screaming for them to come back on stage they were half way back to Liverpool <g>

That's a good party piece Ron.
I remember sometime in the 1980s driving in through some gates on Crompton Street at the back of what I'd always presumed to be Debenhams, however I was picking something up from M&S, it was only a small yard as I remember, but surprisingly it had a turntable which turned vehicles around to then drive back out of the gates.

Cyril yes that's the same location The alley way had a turntable near the back door to M&S to facilitate turning the delivery wagons. As the alley was to narrow to turn them round manually.

Cyril this is the entrance to the 'Alley' from Watkin street.
https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=4&id=20221&gallery=Crompton+Street&page=1

In the early 80s that building was a clothing and home wear store called HRL. Hope it helps .

In the early 80s that building was a clothing and home wear store called HRL. Hope it helps .