Wigan Album

i played for wigan super league at the griffin & played for the pub when billy had it & was part of the team that won the wigan observer comp in 1988 .

A very sad state of affairs to see such a beautiful building rotting away for the want of some care. Idiots abroad that cause ruin and disorder and no respect.

I am told there used to be a photo on the wall in The Griffin of my Auntie Sally, showing her walking down a ramp at the end of her shift as a pit-brow lass; I have a copy of the same photo on my wall at home and there is a copy of it on The Album under "people", (Griffiths) and in the book "Images of Wigan".

The council should buy it and convert it into a hotel. They will be expecting a lot of visitors when the new monstrosity is built. A stay could include a trip to see a similar council criminal decision in St Helens.

It’s a hotel already. Just needs a few ‘ tweaks’ inside better than any newly built one. Nobody could complain staying in that building (as they do in some!). Ah but…! The Grand Hotel was wrecked wasn’t it?

Yet another of architect George Heaton’s masterpieces left to rack and ruin. Criminal!

I was stood in a bar in Waikiki ( Moose McGillicuddys) a few years ago and got talking to an Aussie. Quickly the talk turned to rugby and it transpired that when he toured GB he went into the Griffin when Billy was the landlord. A small world.