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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day Archive

Photo-a-Day  (Tuesday, 17th January, 2012)

Tesco Express


Tesco Express
Here's a photo of the Alexandra Arms on Whelley Road, going to be a Tesco Express.

Photo: Harry Cunliffe  (Panasonic DMC-FZ38)
Views: 4,542

Comment by: alan on 17th January 2012 at 00:11

Hey, what's with all these pubs closing since I emigrated ? Has Britain gone tee-total ?

Comment by: David Fairclough on 17th January 2012 at 00:18

That's a sad sight, had some nice times in the Alex.

Comment by: Ken R on 17th January 2012 at 01:06

Had a pint or two in that pub over the years. It looks like all the pubs are on a very slippery slope.

Comment by: Fred Cunliffe on 17th January 2012 at 04:02

Bad times,closing pubs,I had a birthday there once!

Comment by: dc on 17th January 2012 at 07:14

Again its Tesco taking over the World! Poor location traffic congestion especialy with a school facing the site, has it gone through planning/highways yet?

Comment by: Lee Layland on 17th January 2012 at 07:18

We're loosing so many pubs we'll have none left soon except those in town / city centres.

Another vital part of the community lost forever.

Comment by: Fred Cunliffe on 17th January 2012 at 09:29

Why doesn't Tesco start to open pubs,maybe it'll catch on?

Comment by: rob on 17th January 2012 at 09:35

a pub which was closed for 3 years! The reason so many pubs are closing is that we had to many! There are still lots and lots around.

Comment by: maggie on 17th January 2012 at 09:48

They are opening another one just up the road from where we live. Planning permission was refused by the LEA, but they appealed & it has gone through. it is by a busy junction, nowhere for parking and with a small group of shops just down the road.

Comment by: Colin Harlow on 17th January 2012 at 09:50

The pub could have been converted in to a luxury home, if we carry on at this rate, there will be more supermarkets than houses...after saying that, New springs and Aspull is crying out for a supermarket.

Comment by: Scholes Malc on 17th January 2012 at 10:24

‘Another vital part of the community lost forever’

Absolute Boxxocks – it was an awful pub - no atmosphere, little used, poor layout, never had a decent landlord, and sold overpriced ale and poor food – not a patch on the nearby White Lion!
Never liked the place - Good riddance I say!

Comment by: Mal on 17th January 2012 at 10:35

Sadly, as always, it's a case of use it or lose it.

Comment by: Colin Harlow on 17th January 2012 at 12:53

Sounds like Scholes Malc was Barred sometime or other!

Comment by: Terry T on 17th January 2012 at 13:20

To Scholes Malc, I agree with every word you say, the service and how the pub was run was absolutely terrible, A Widnes rugby player i think his name was Aspey ran it at one time and he just hadnt got a clue. Suprising it did not close 30 years since.

Comment by: wcml on 17th January 2012 at 14:34

how can these big supermarkets just muscle in and open up were they please,as for saying new springs and aspull need one, well they got three in less than a mile or so away,wigan,reebok,hindley,and what about the local news agents and general small shops of whelley new springs and aspull,theyl probaly shut down and the small staff who worked there can apply for a job at tescos...sorry about any grammer mistakes .

Comment by: Ron D on 17th January 2012 at 15:50

Blucher will be turning in his grave.

Comment by: Harry C. on 17th January 2012 at 19:53

Thanks for the comments all, pubs are closing all over, Running Horse in Aspull has been demolished and apartments built on the site, Gerard Arms is closed, Red Lion in Haigh is now an Indian restaurant, and there's a rumour that Aspull Village Club (Labour Club that was)
is going to be a Tesco. Ah well! H.
P.S. Ron who's Blucher?

Comment by: Sue on 17th January 2012 at 20:07

Terry T, that's not the pubs fault is it!

Comment by: Steve Podmore on 17th January 2012 at 20:08

Pubs are shutting cos beers way too expensive. Another British rip-off.

Comment by: Jean F (Wales) on 17th January 2012 at 21:58

Oh how i hate to see these lovely, looking buildings being demolished.All the history and stories that go with them.
This one doesn`t look very old though ?

Comment by: Ron D on 17th January 2012 at 22:11

Von Blucher was the original name of the pub. He was at the battle of Waterloo. Was also called, Hole int wall.

Comment by: scoop on 17th January 2012 at 22:28

old engines gone as well, houses going up.

Comment by: Ken R on 17th January 2012 at 23:58

You can't blame Tescos for "muscleing in", the pub had been empty for some time, Tesco are only taking advantage of the situation. It's the way thing are.

Comment by: David Barker on 18th January 2012 at 00:06

Harry c Garrard Atms is not closed in fact its doing very well,taking you mean in Aspull.The Hare and Hounds is closed.

Comment by: Harry C. on 18th January 2012 at 08:48

Thanks Dave, I realised my mistake later in bed, I also forgot to mention The New Inn Racliffe road also closed. H.

Comment by: David Barker on 18th January 2012 at 14:46

Sorry Harry c but the New Inn is open also ,not many go in but its a good pint of cask beer , and a nice coal fire for the winter nights.

Comment by: wcml on 18th January 2012 at 19:48

if tesco are taking advantage of the situation,why dont they plough some of there massive profits back in the community and build a community centre or youth club

Comment by: Ken R on 18th January 2012 at 23:32

To wcml. has anyone ever approached Tescos to do as you suggest, why not try it out, you could be surprised.

Comment by: Gee H on 19th January 2012 at 11:08

Definately agree with Scholes Malc, it was never a part of the community,a complete waste of space!! crap ale, and atmosphere, good riddance indeed!

Comment by: incer71 on 19th January 2012 at 14:02

am i right in saying that supermarkets by up alot of land or empty buildings like the alex and do nothing with them so as to keep competition out! just wondering...

Comment by: Harry C. on 21st January 2012 at 10:38

Thanks again David, last time I noticed The New Inn it had a sign saying rent this pub for £1 I'll have to keep my eyes open, might even try it. H.

Comment by: Tom Walsh on 29th January 2012 at 20:15

The unfortunate truth,if a supermarket want to change a public house into a food store , they don't need planing permission . They do require permission for signage,lighting ect. If they demolish, and start with a new build then full planing is required . In the case of the Alex.,I would imagine a new build would have the preferred option, but would leave the project open pulic scrutiny .All matters would have then come it to play, including its position near to a school ,the controlled crossing, the access and egres to and from a very busy road. Not to mention the possible impact on congestion . I'am left with the unpalatable impression that Tessco decided to proceed with existing building to ensure as little public participation as possible.

Comment by: Lawrence Naven on 30th January 2012 at 02:06

Sorry to see it go.We had our Wedding Reception in 1963 there, and spent many a Saturday night,(sing-along) Laurie & Eileen from Aussie

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