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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



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

Photo-a-Day  (Thursday, 4th May, 2023)

Bithells From Aireys Footbridge


Bithells From Aireys Footbridge
Bithells Waste Management Ltd. in Poolstock, as seen from Aireys Footbridge (No.1) on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal (Leigh Branch). The buildings used to be part of Airey’s Ltd. Victoria Brewery.

Photo: Joanne  (iPhone)
Views: 1,791

Comment by: PeterP on 4th May 2023 at 06:52

Do they still sort waste by hand in the yard? A few years ago there used to be a pile of waste in the yard and a team of men wee sifting through it by hand.

Comment by: Mortarmillbill on 4th May 2023 at 07:08

This could be biggest eyesore in Wigan.

Comment by: Garry on 4th May 2023 at 07:36

Looks scruffy round that area, I thought Bithells Waste Management was a bigger company than that. And waste management companies had to have very tidy depots for the environment.

Comment by: Joanne on 4th May 2023 at 08:09

More info about Airey's Brewery Ltd, Victoria Brewery, Westwood Road, Poolstock, Wigan:

“In 1864 Thomas Airey listed at Pemberton and brewed at various sites before the Victoria Brewery site was acquired by 1898.

Thomas died February 1900 and his son George inherited.

Registered November 1906 with George as chairman, until his death in 1918.

Acquired by Walker Cain Ltd. in 1926 with about 40 tied houses that were transferred to the Oldfield Brewery Ltd. in 1933.“

From: http://breweryhistory.com/wiki/index.php?title=Airey%27s_Brewery_Ltd

Mick’s recent photo of the footbridge: https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/photoaday.php?photo=2023-04-29

Comment by: Syd Smith on 4th May 2023 at 08:18

The chimney looks a bit odd, maybe they've extended it with some scrap bricks.

Comment by: T on 4th May 2023 at 08:28

Thought it was that Baby Elephant down Shevingotn at first glance

Comment by: Joanne on 4th May 2023 at 08:32

Syd Smith - the chimney fascinates me, I’d love to know the history behind it.

Comment by: Kath H on 4th May 2023 at 09:19

I remember when Bithells used to be in Chapel St. New Springs in the 1950’s.

Comment by: Neil Barker on 4th May 2023 at 09:52

The sweeps brush got stuck and kept pushing the chimney higher.

Comment by: Arthur on 4th May 2023 at 11:45

Looks like the roof to the right needs throwing in the skip before it collapses.

Comment by: Poet on 4th May 2023 at 12:41

The extending chimney was invented in Holland in 1608 by Hans Lippershey .
This is the only post industrial revolution one left in Britain .
On particularly smokey days it can be raised another 6 stages . Looks like they've got a level 3er going today .

Comment by: Tommy T on 4th May 2023 at 13:26

Nice to see there are still some "beauty spots" around the district!

Comment by: Sue on 4th May 2023 at 15:33

Ugly place looks like a drugs den around there.

Comment by: Fred Mason on 4th May 2023 at 18:01

Excellent photo, joanne, and it has made a great talking point. However I can't believe that I was born and bred in a town with an area like that. It is quite disgusting...thank goodness for places like Mesnes Park and Dean Wood, etc..

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