Photo-a-Day  (Saturday, 31st January, 2015)

I like that one Mick... one for the archives.

You know... in most other towns they would not allow a listed building like that to fall into decay. They would have gone out of their way to make sure it was put to better use, with maybe a cafe and bar... specialist shops.. etc.

Had to scratch my head a bit for Grimes Arcade, it's been a long time since I saw that.

Interesting photo, however can't place it. Was BHS to the left of the arcade at one time

good picture the barracks bar is that the officers club,?.those cobbles should be protected priceless heritage.

It is disgraceful. I think the mentality behind the idea is if you let it get really bad it becomes ' unstable' and then to can knock it down, simples ! Wigan Council seem to be good at that...

Dennis, I think that's a lovely idea, but I think it would have to be shuttered off at night, especially weekends, from King Street. It would soon be ruined! But what a shame to see it like this. A good photo, but a sad one.

The Arcade was always a pleasant place to pass through, especially with the organ music from Grimes'. Isn't this now an eyesore? All due to the local authority granting far too many licences for pubs and clubs in King Street. Thanks Mick for the interesting photo, but it will surprise our ex-pats viewers.

Think you are right Dennis. This could be made a nice little asset to the town. Love the stone quoins at the corner of the bricking, and the setts.

interesting! many people have taken short cuts down that alley over the generations. I suppose now they have to walk around the block

This is what the council said on Monday 14th March, 2011,,,,
Officers will be assisting building owners to carry out repairs to their properties and to restore historical features through grant assistance. As part of the bidding process to the Heritage Lottery Fund, three buildings were identified as priority projects. These are Tower Buildings on Wallgate, 7-9 King Street and Grimes Arcade on King Street. Owners will be encouraged to repair existing properties and to reinstate original features on properties, such as traditional shop fronts, chimneys and other architectural details.

So who owns the Tower Buildings on Wallgate, 7-9 King Street and Grimes Arcade on King Street, thats the question.

No Derek, this arcade joins Library St and King St. This is the Library St side of it, it is on the right going down the street just before you reach what was, Wigan Mining and Technical College which is now Wigan Town Hall.

What's the reason the Arcade is boarded up. Little has changed there in 100 years.

Spot on Dennis Miller, not much has changed around there. On the right is Rowbottom Square which takes you through to Wallgate and the town centre. The Wigan Observer was printed and published there from 1853 to 1966. I'm sure if the paper were still based there, they'd have given the Council a real headache over the state of the buildings...and it would have been justified!

Worked at grimes tv shop Mr toubkin was the boss fond memories criminal shame interesting photo

I remember like yesterday buying Whiter Shade of Pale from Grimes in MAY 1967!! Such a shame the council allowing such buildings to deteriorate.

I pass this when walking from Wigan Wallgate railway station to Wigan library.
Had my haircut in the barber`s in Arcade Street last Tuesday.
Wallpaper Supplies are to the left and was H H Timberlakes years ago.

JOE GRANEY, it is the BARBERS BAR that you can see, a gents hairdressers, the Officers Club is much higher up the hill towards Wallgate. GARRY, it was being used as a urinal, no more nor less, it stunk to high heaven.

Little the council could do,they don't own them and it's not within their powers to force repairs unless the structures become dangerous.

I have good reason the remember A Whiter Sade of Pale, Giovanni, but better not go off the subject! I remember Grimes' TV shop; had forgotten it until it was mentioned here.

The Council CAN do a great deal, they CAN put pressure on the owners.

Very sad, no one cares. Yes good idea...and the rest of the clan, Lets think of the up-loaders and genuine posters who care about the subject covered by the photo.
Communicate sounds good.

It has to start with the Council, they put things in motion

For earlier photo`s, see :-
Album, Places, Arcade Street and Album, Wigan Streets, Arcade Street.

Roy, isn't all the shops and door ways used as a toilet on Friday and Saturday nights.

Irene, it was actually called Grimes Arcade.

Great picture Mick, your point is very relevant as to who the owners are but also within the Council letter it states the owners will be 'encouraged' to, not forced to. Alex, can the council apply pressure? Maybe. This is not as straight forward as listed buildings. As the Rev pointed out mick , removing the mirror from the church recently. As always the devil is within the detail.

Yes Garry a lot of them are, but they cant close the shops. I'm all for it being brought back to life and agree with most of the comments made about the subject.

Yes, I know it was called Grimes Arcade, Alan, but was the music shop inside it not called Grimes as well? Isn't that how the arcade got its name?

Thanks Roy for your informative comments, and for the later ones too. Now I do remember Grimes Arcade. Mind you I'm still unclear if this was the arcade where the Bodega pub entrance was.

Does anyone remember the beautiful pianos on the main floor of the shop.

Yes irene, that's how it got it's name.

my dad bought his 78 rpm records at grimes. they had booths where you could play the record to see if you liked it enough to want to purchase it. my dad had a large collection of hmv Caruso and gigli records. another brand of record was Columbia. I think a 12 inch double sided record cost about half a crown in 1930. this is when a pitman in ince was lucky to earn a pound a week. I suspect that I am your oldest contributor. ernie may be the next.

Derek,
The Bodega entrance was in King street nearer to the Court Cinema and the side entrance in the next alley further down King Street that also linked with Library Street, I have forgotten the name of the alley, or street.

Look at item number 25815,in search.

Derek, further to my last comment I think the street is College Avenue.

Derek Platt, the bodega was further down King Street towards the Court Cinema in an alley between King Street and Library Street

You are right Irene,it was Grimes
music shop.You could buy pianos and
guitars etc on the main floor ,and if
went downstairs you would be in the
record department.If you bought a
record they would ask you if you would
like to listen it in one of the music
booths ---- Happy days.

Thankyou, Jimmy G.

I watched Her Majesties coronation on TV in a shop window there with my parents,I was about five years old!

Bodega club was nest to Wigan Examiner offices.

The music shop WAS called Grimes!
THAT'S how it got it's name, the Grimes Arcade!!

THe shop was taken over by Dawson's a Warrington based firm.

I remember it as dawsons when i was at Wigan college in the late eighties - i bought a nice black telecaster from downstairs!

if you search Wigan Planning you can locate who applied or permission and it looks like Grimes arcade had planned submitted quite recently