Places   (Help with places, streets and buildings in Wigan.)

I missed out on tickets for Led Zep in 72 and again in early 73 at the Liverpool Empire. However, Frank Smith went to the box office a couple of days before the gig and bought 11 returned tickets! So I got to see them. Never managed to watch Free. As for going to gigs to find they were cancelled – Brian Eno at the Free Trade Hall and Lou Reed at the Rainbow Theatre, London – very disappointing, especially travelling to London on the midnight bus!
Talking of the Bier Keller, Jarvo…
The hippy scene in Wigan was chiefly at the Market Hotel; good landlord, Colin Cooke. But the Park Hotel had a scene there too. Landlady Mrs Brown was very strict and operated a waitress service. Remember the wood panelled booths and bells to get a waitress’s attention? I believe Mrs Brown used to be a Bluebell Girl in London (they were famous dancers).
The Students Union Club (or Tech Club) was the big night out for music. I think it was Malc MacKinder who also got a bit of a scene going at the Bier Keller; but just local bands. For a short while there was also a good heavy disco in the basement of the Grand Hotel… it wasn’t so grand by then! And then of course there was the upstairs room in the Swan and Railway.
I’m not sure when it all fizzled away, but the John Bull sort of retained many aficionados. I guess the Indi scene is the nearest modern equivalent.