Photo-a-Day  (Tuesday, 23rd March, 2021)

Think Neil Kay owns them buildings, who are the sisters Brian.

That is something I didn't know, thanks Brian, you learn something every day, even at my age.

I wonder if anybody knows the seven sisters names.

I never noticed there was a Barbers over the shops never mind the heads of the seven sisters. I wonder what will happen to the buildings if the shops close down for good. Apartments perhaps?

Another piece of Wigan history I didn't know about.Its amazing what you walk past, and don't see.Looking forward to more information on this.Thank you for photo Brian. Neil Kay owned Pringles Jewellers in Makinsons Arcade, then it closed.

Don't be saying that Veronica that's all it is today Apartments when land or buildings come vacant.

I too never knew about the heads of the sisters.....it was actually a friend from LONDON who pointed them out to me some years ago. You just don't think to look up at buildings in your own town, do you, as you probably would when visiting other towns. Such a shame as we have some beautiful old. buildings in Wigan.

At first glance I didn't recognise where it was. Just shows how different shops can change a place in the space of five years.

Nobody wants to lose town centres as much as me Julie. I have always come to Wigan for years and years. This is the longest period I have kept away during this lockdown. I really want Wigan town centre to survive. But we have to face facts , shopping on the internet is the way forward whether we like it or not. Shortage of housing as well , mind you I don't think I would want to live in the middle of 'town'... probably more trees might be planted and theatres! Who knows in years to come , I won't be here anyway...

Its to late to be complaining about losing our town centres , because they are all doomed, and the reason is because you women folk have stopped shopping in them.

I was also going to say the town centres all need redesigning, with more traffic free leisure places, and nice gardens, and all the roads in built up areas need narrowing with a maximum speed limit of 20mph so the footpaths can then be widened for pedestrians and cyclist use.

Interesting PIC Brian, I, like other people don't think to look up to find out what's above the shop.
As for town centre shopping Wigan's at one time was buzzing, the indoor and outdoor markets full of life, Woolies, British Home Store, Marks and Spencers and all the other shops making Wigan a busy place, but now not for me thanks.

Everybody I cant see a lot of shops ever opening again in Wigan and everywhere, not only the pandemic has caused this people have been shopping on line and putting small independent businesses out of business its a shame how it has come to this today.

I would be in Wigan like a shot if we had all those lovely stores we used to have. Much rather go in a shop than on the internet. You don't know what quality the merchandise is going to be like for one thing. It was easier to take an item back rather than return something. I always supported the shops before and will still as long as they're open.

Please don't tar all women with the same brush, Mick. I loved Wigan and DID shop there.....in fact I worked in two of the main shops, Debenhams and Boots, for many years. I have been saddened to see one shop after another close down, and the sad state the Market and the Market Hall are in. I know Veronica travelled regularly into Wigan to shop until the lockdown and I have met her there. Like me, she liked Marks and Spencers food but M and S disappeared down to Robin Park. Sadly, even the cafe that Veronica and I met in has now gone. Yes, a lot of people shop online but those of us who remember shopping in Wigan would love to do so again. Many men shopped in Wigan too, Mick, for clothes and electrical goods, so it isn't just "women-folk"....the men also now shop online too and, if what you say is true, are equally to blame for the demise of Wigan.

Neil Kay also owned the Royal Arcade but has recently sold it, pringles belonged to his brother Mark.

In one sentence..Wigan centre has had its heart ripped out.

I think you'll find a lot of blokes shop too Mick, and on the internet as well !!

This building is far older than it looks, there are photos in the Album showing it in 1900 and the shops then look to be well established, so it may well be late Victorian or even earlier, the carved head capstone of the window arch looks to be typically Victorian.

It's dire times indeed when the pie shops in Wigan have closed down due to lack of business, though notice the tobacco shop and the bookies are still going strong, money going up in smoke or frittered away on the name of a horse, that never seems to change does it.

Irene the market hall is still open, go and have a look around next time you in town and buy something.
I bet last time a lot of salt of the earth Wiganers were in the market was just before Morrisons opened the supermarket

I KNOW the Market Hall is open, Mick. I bought some potato cakes last week, four for a pound. They are much better sold loose there than the pre-packed packets that you get in the supermarket. I often buy veg in the Market Hall too, and meat from a proper butcher's stall, and the Creamy Lancashire Cheese from The Cheese Cabin is unsurpassed. I have bought it from other outlets but nothing beats the one sold by The Cheese Cabin, which was going when I was a young girl. I just said The Market Hall is a shadow of its former self. I will shop there as long as it keeps going.

Irene have you tried their Tasty Lancashire, or a Jumbo Spring Roll from Asian Womans stall

This is a great Wigan PAD.
You can still make out the shape of the "ghost sign" for Wallaces, to the right hand side elevation of this block on Google Maps.  

Thanks for the comments.

Sorry, I don't know who the 7 sisters are. I was going to research the building then the lockdown happened. As far as I know - a local builder built it, and he had 7 daughters. Proudly incorporated each of them on the top floor.

Since finding out about this place, whenever I'm in town I walk around looking up! Seen chimney pots dated late 1700s - amazing.

Keep looking up, the future's bright. ;)

If I tell a story,
From windows where I look,
I wonder what would be within,
My personal memory book.
How many times I've passed you,
Going bout my way,
Never imagining I would look
back at you this way.
Now you have a sadness,
a part we all can see,
your gentle heart is ticking,
but your soul...so sad, broke free..