Worth a Watch
A 2 min video report by local journalist, Claire Hannah:
Granada Reports
“I actually felt physically sick when they showed us the view from the park … People don’t have a clue what we’re going to be looking at.”
Kathleen Leigh, Wigan Market Trader
“The Council didn’t listen.”
View from Crompton St
View from Mesnes Park
View from Hallgate
Started: 4th Nov 2021 at 10:37
Angela Fell on Twitter says “Friends of Wigan Town Centre membership is going through the roof since residents saw the reality on Granada Reports.”
Friends of Wigan Town Centre: Facebook
Save Wigan Town Centre: Facebook Group
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 10:48
Jo Anne..the video doesn't show on my iPad,but I get the message..things aren't looking good are they?.the photos say it all.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 10:52
....
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 11:29
Last edited by Tommy Two Stroke: 4th Nov 2021 at 18:09:19
After watching that, it makes me feel worse, how the hell can they get rid of a complex like the Galleries, and replace it with something which looks like it comes from the brutalist concrete tower block era of the 1960s
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 11:33
Momac, as TTS says, last night’s entire programme is available (till 6pm tonight). Hope it works.
Link: 3rd Nov 2021 (17:45)
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 11:48
Last edited by jo anne: 4th Nov 2021 at 11:48:57
TTS, I think it’s a travesty.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 11:49
I could cry with the way our town is going.
Walking down Mesnes Street yesterday..posters on all abandoned shops saying something like.
See a nice shop in Wigan town...pull it down.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 12:42
You’ve all heard the saying. - “use it or lose it”?
Well, you’ve not used it !
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 13:04
Correct. I didn't use it because there is/was nothing of interest in the town for me. Besides they moved the few stores that did get some use down to the Robin Park retail place.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 13:13
Reminds me of my time in Magdeburg before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
There won’t be much footfall from visitors once the monstrosities are established and unless the new residents provide a critical mass it will be an economic disaster.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 13:26
With so many shops at the retail park now....wouldn't you think they'd have a bus service to get there ..it would do well.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 14:01
Yes Momac, and if they want people to use the place the bus should be free.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 14:04
I actually dropped a hint at the information desk in the bus station the other day...it would solve a lot of problems for a big majority of Wiganers now wouldn't it Terry.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 14:12
It would indeed, I feel for those who don't have transport and the elderly.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 14:13
JO ANNE,, After watching that video of what these CRIMINALS are going to do to my town it has SICKENED ME TO MY STOMACH . Just how can they can they get away with BUILDING that MONSTROSITY ???????I sincerely HOPE /WISH THAT these clowns are booted out come election time ,to say i am DEEPLY ASHAMED IS PUTTING IT VERY MILDLY ...
GB.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 14:15
Sadly nothing will change come the elections.
Replied: 4th Nov 2021 at 14:28
You never know, Terry; if Maureen O’Bern can oust a current Ince councillor in the next local elections, I’d be really pleased.
Replied: 7th Nov 2021 at 10:36
A member of the Planning Committee commented:
“We’re not aiming this at the Flat Cap Brigade.” (Twitter)
Another member mocked the low turnout in the public gallery when it was actually full to capacity given Covid restrictions. (Twitter)
A member said: “These apartments will never sell”
Yet went on to vote “For”. (Twitter)
According to the courts, “a planning committee’s reasons should be clear & convincing. Any other material or non-material planning considerations which might cause local controversy will rarely satisfy the relevant tests."
You’ve got to laugh, as it’s all so sad.
Replied: 7th Nov 2021 at 10:55
Not to mention hundreds of letters of objection, along with a 7k-strong petition, were all just dismissed.
The market traders have written to Wigan MP, Lisa Nandy:
@AngelaFell
Replied: 7th Nov 2021 at 11:02
you get what you asked for.voters throughout WMBC keep voting labour then have a moan when the council cocks up once more.
the simple truth is the galleries was unnecessary,the grand arcade was similar and now we are revamping the previous rubbish,
i do feel slightly sorry for todays council because they are trying to rectify their predecessers failed gambles.
the new design looks like an ROF factory from WW2in parts.
who is funding this 200 million pound gamble,
remember lord smiths bold new venture the millgate council offices. ,possibly the only council offices in the world with its own pitifully small swimming pools. that was i believe £220 million of a private equity company's cash.have we payed that debt off yet.
not bad for an organisation that is always pleading poverty.
people i speak to who go up town ,describe it as a ghost town.
the simple truth is its irreparable,damaged beyond a solution .
good money after bad.
Replied: 7th Nov 2021 at 19:47
Baker Boy
So who is paying for it ?
The Chinese government is, and that is because it has been awash with money, and to make that money work, it needs to be tuned into assets, and by building 500 flats plus the Pavilion and new Market Hall, then that money or liquid capital, is turned into property assets, which appreciates in value over time, it also will generate a cash flow from the flat rents.
Not a bad return, considering that leaving that £130 million in the bank, will not earn anything much in interest, compared to redeveloping the Galleries, I suppose also the temptation from Wigan Council, will be that those flats will have to have portion of them for 'affordable' rent, which means they will have what is known has nominated tenants from the council's housing waiting list, and of course if as if people like me and others are predicting, that those flats do not attract up market tenants, and they start to be tenanted by folk from the Wigan Council Housing waiting list, then the council will have access to 500 more flats, that is probably another reason why the council want the eyesore to be built.
Replied: 7th Nov 2021 at 20:25
Good point, Tommy.
I never looked at it from that angle.
Don't get me wrong. I'm totally against the development. I think its a disgrace what they are doing to the town centre
Replied: 7th Nov 2021 at 20:37
Last edited by cheshirecat: 7th Nov 2021 at 21:26:08
The ' Flat Cap Brigade ' had objections to the original market development way back, then, when they decided Station Road had to go for the ' Grand Arcade ' another white elephant that was obviously going to put the Galleries to the sword, who listened ? Nobody . Now the boot's on the other foot, Grand Arcade struggling, decreased footfall, Smiths ( top of Wigan ) closing FFS, and now a revamped version 2 of the original market. Agreed, shopping habits have changed, times move on, but the sheer size and scale of what's proposed, do you like how it looks. And who are going to be the residents of all these flats in the centre with nowhere to park the cars they won't need because public transport will service all their needs ? Who will be living there ? Cinema , bowling alleys, indoor golf ? Do we really need these facilities in the middle or Wigan ? A vibrant, safe night life unlike King Street would be nice. Cars aren't going away anytime soon, electric or otherwise. People will need to park them somewhere, preferably safe and close to place of abode. It's not been really thought about, has it.
Replied: 7th Nov 2021 at 23:01
The Chinese government won't be paying for it. The UK government will. The Chinese will be paid for undertaking the construction work.
And the residential properties will be bought, by the same housing association as all the others have, and will be used to house immigrants like all the others have.
Wigan council's housing list - my arse!
Replied: 7th Nov 2021 at 23:13
Like in Westhoughton
Replied: 8th Nov 2021 at 00:49
And Salford, Liverpool and Manchester Airport, to name a few!
Replied: 8th Nov 2021 at 10:03
Last edited by tonker: 8th Nov 2021 at 10:08:38
Is that Lisa Nandy next to David Cameron?
Yes, Tonks, all the immigrants getting nice new housing, rent & rates paid, pocket money. They won't need cars.
Where's my human rights for the same as them?
Replied: 8th Nov 2021 at 10:19
Taking it that the 'Dear Lisa' letter above, as posted by Jo anne, was writtenby Angela fell?
Well, if so, she doesn't seem to know her arse from her elbow when it comes to Wigan council, or Wigan, the Planning Committee, Lisa Nandy, et al..
Replied: 9th Nov 2021 at 19:28