Wigan Album

Not exactly in the town centre, But Boots is still in Wigan in The Grand Arcade, Ashtons Tobacconists BUILDING is still in Wallgate with its art-deco number "20" over the door, (it isn't Ashtons any more, unfortunately), "Next" is in The Grand Arcade, and I think Present Trend is still in Hallgate but can't be certain. The Royal Arcade is still there as Peter and I walked down it this morning, Ron, after we had enjoyed a chat with you down near The Linacre Centre! All the other names are just memories now. There was still a Mark Williams Pork Butchers in Ashton until not that long ago, but not in Wigan...I loved that shop but I think the owners retired. I wish all those shops were still there.

I remember Jasper Carrot,do you remember him,say you knew were getting old when you had sneaky look in Dunn&Co.I have no idea where it was in Wigan.

Pw, Dunn & Co. was originally on Wallgate opposite Ashtons Tobacconist (which was just a short way further up than the General Post Office) but moved, until it closed, to the Market Place, on a site which would now be next to The Moon under Water.

As of 2024, to the best of my knowledge none of those businesses are still trading in Wigan town centre. Of those that still exist - Hampson’s is part of the bakery group that owns Sayers & the Pound Bakery of which there are still two PB in town. I had to think about Timpsons - there is a Timpsons outlet outside Central Park Tesco and one in Asda Newtown but none in the town centre (that I’m aware of, but I can’t be 100% on this!). Next we’re trading in the Grand Arcade up until last year or the year before.

CJ

Is the Grand Arcade not in the “town centre” then?
If not, where is it?

Now you come to mention Derek I do have a vague recollection of it at the top of Market Place.

Oops, completely missed Boots on that list. Yes they are still in the town centre!!!! Unfortunately, all the rest are gone.

CJ