Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 13th July, 2018)

60 years ago it still was "Grand".

Thank you Thomas - reminded me of the shock I had seeing what was left of the Pack Horse Hotel twenty odd years ago when passing through Bolton.
Who actually owns this building now?

Had many a tipple in here before setting off to the Las Vegas club opposite! And had may 20th birthday soiree there!

Had our wedding reception here 60 years ago. Sad to see the state that it is in now.

Many wedding receptions took place at the Grand Hotel - its hard to visualise that now at the state it's in. You just wonder how these things can come about so easily. It wasn't called The Grand for nothing!

I wonder if it was ever Grand with it being next to a sewing factory in a Wigan back street

Mick, I can assure you that it was Grand in 1958 .See my earlier comment.

One of Wigan’s hidden gems, this pub was full of character. Enjoyed many a fine gathering there in its heyday. So sad to see it in this state.

Only my opinion, but, in a money oriented world , what options does an investor have in making these old buildings successful? Turning them into homes , offices or fast food places ? These buildings for me are reminders of Wigan’s past , which I am proud to be part of , but , unfortunately, that was then and now are defunct! The lines of
shops we had have been replaced with supermarkets. The smoked filled pubs of darts and dominos are more family like restaurants. I ask again , as regards Wigan , what’s in it for any investor ? Why would they buy into a place called Wigan? . I personally, would have turned into a small market town arrangement, holding onto , and decided by Wigganers, certain buildings that can’t be touched . I would have then built the town around those buildings .
Market Square and the Hall would be as they were . It would always be the Big Arcade and Little Aracade . Markers to identify that this is our Wigan . I would reintroduce walking days without question , and always ending on Market Square singing Faith of out Fathers. Smaller shops would be encouraged, but selective NOT , a kebab or quick chicken gaff to feed drunks on Saturday nights whose only dream is to be on Love Island

Unfortunately we just say it’s sad and talk about how it once was. I honestly can’t see where Wigan is going in this respect but a cheap fast food centre with its heritage and history , just that , history . I repeat , this is just my opinion to what I see was a hugely rich and hard grating Wigan , to be replaced with a Wigan without any kind of depth and buildings made only for hot dogs . This is not my Wigan . My best wishes to all my fellow Wigganers.

Interesting to read that comment Dave. It does make you wonder what it will be like in another 20 years - although,I suppose most of my generation will be gone by then. I must say last Saturday I came to Wigan and I thoroughly enjoyed a couple of hours listening to the music ( jazz) at one end and drums at the other. It was lovely and sunny and loads of people about - a bit like old times! I don't usually come on a Saturday - so I was quite surprised.

Dave, look on Tripadvisor, Mesne Park, Fairy Glen and Worthington Lakes get good reviews while Haigh Woodland Park gets a certificate of excellence. If Wigan can build on these attractions there may be hope for the future.

GRAND HOTEL 1921

Under the rhythmic revolving lights on the ceiling
The flickering Charleston dancers
Like spectral figures in a speeded up silent movie
Trot to and fro
To the sensuous languor of the trumpets.
Every night they dance licentiously here
Glad the killings over,

Especially so this Saturday evening
When they queque the length of Dorning St.
To hear the Savoy Havana Band
Appearing live tonight at The Grand.

I have a bit of a vivid imagination but Poet's verse reminds me of the film with Jack Nicholson and Al Bowley singing Midnight ...the stars and you.. "The Shining"! I thought it was a terrific but scary film. The Grand could be a setting for it! ;o))

We had our Wedding Reception in the Grand Hotel in 1961, 57 years ago.

This was always a nice wedding venue, and was very popular. I went to several wedding receptions there and they were all enjoyable. Also, it was a good bar and had a great atmosphere.