Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 20th November, 2023)

Rather than rant on about Wigan having too many empty shops and not enough shoppers etc., I would like to take this opportunity to say how nice Makinson's Arcade still looks. It certainly is one of Wigan town centre treasures.
Thanks for that nice photograph, Brian.

I wonder what time of day the photo was taken ?
I know it has been a long time since I was in the arcade but I am glad I remember it full of bustle & people. If you came up from the market place end there was the aroma from theTea & Coffee
Importers....and then a bit further up on the right was a florists & the wonderful scent of flowers. Things change but its nice to remember.

We have more Barbers and junk food outlets in Wigan than ever before. Take notice, junk food and barbers shops are only afew metres apart from each other.

A beautiful arcade that is empty and echoing now. It is only used for a cut-through to and from the bus-station these days and I feel sorry for those who have a business in there. The cafe always seems to have customers in, though, and I am showing my age when I say I remember it being a Wimpy Bar!

A great part of the town, hopefully it will be more busy once one end isn't in the middle of a building site

It is a lovely arcade to walk down but for the moment very much a dead end unless you are going to the bus station. Perhaps if and when the former Galleries are developed, even if only a huge car park, the vibrancy and shoppers will return.
Up Town Diner on the left was the location of one of Marks and Spencer's first shops. I believe there is mosaic on the floor (now covered) depicting this. I'm sure I have seen a picture somewhere.

Great architectural photo

Looks like my comment has not turned up. Just to say there will always be this Arcade and the Royal Arcade to remember. A welcome photo today Brian.

Lovely and clean, I don't know what time of day Brian took the photo, but in its heyday, this arcade was packed with people, you had to push your way through the crowds.
A nice bit of Wigan history untouched. Well captured Brian.

Something very fishy about all these barbershops . I noticed yet another due to open opposite Tommy Walsh's on Preston Road . This now makes 6 in Standish alone , all within a few minutes walk of each other .

Yes Colin you're correct,it's the third shop going up on the left with the green facade,that's where it all started for M&S so I believe,it's a jewellers now...it was also a jewellers when I was courting my hubby,and where we went for my eternity ring....ah..those were the days.

Poet, you are quite right, Standish Hair Port and Turkish Hair Lines etc. etc. I am sure they are owned by one Barber Master!
What is it with all these Barbers Shops, all seemingly manned with men from the Middle East who I must say do, do a good cut. No offence meant but are they replacing Car Washes as a route into the UK.
There are now more Barbers than you can shake a coffee shop at!

All these barber shops about and most men are bald.

Agreed Alan, but they do a nice spit and polish on my head for £10.
I tried a wig on in Makinson's Arcade, it was about the same price, I have photograph to prove it but modesty forbids me posting this as my wife and others said I looked like a cross between Richard Geer and David Dickenson's Love Child!!!!

Lovely photo Brian. Thank you.

I was in there last week, and it seemed busy enough then.

Thank god this has been saved, its the only piece of Wigan we are so familiar with.

Maureen, my husband bought our engagement ring from that Jewellers too in 1968, and sold his bass guitar to pay for it, as he never tires of telling me!!
I think it was Ratners then, before they moved to Standishgate.

Maureen, it’s quite easy to ask Google “where it all started” for M&S.
One thing is certain, it wasn’t Wigan.

John,I never said I got the info from GOOGLE..I have lots of books on. Wigans history.and did you know that they once dwelt in Great George Street Wallgate...do you never use Google John.!!!

John Noakes,
Michael Marks, or X as he signed his name, in 1891 lived at 152 Great George Street, Wallgate, Wigan, and later went living on Darli, he also had a stall at the market, have a read of the potted history essay via the link:
https://static.s123-cdn-static-d.com/uploads/3625811/normal_5efc2dc2d474a.pdf

Only on the days his name is Mick, Maureen.

Pat, that shows how much he cared about you ! Just listen to the guitar greats talk about their guitars or indeed anybody who has owned ,learned and played for many years . Each guitar leaves a lasting impression on you and I would never get rid of any of mine. I suppose it's the same with cars and motorbikes , on Bangers and Cash many are close to tears letting them go . Sorry for going off the thread Brian .

There you are John ..Mick,read more and get enlightened...you'd be surprised.

Pru,he reminds me of a child,but a devious one..his home life must be very boring.

Michael Marks started his UK trading in Leeds.
Marks and Spencers was opened first in Manchester.
I have replied twice, but my messages are not being posted, Maureen.

Rubbish.

And you say you’ve looked on Google and read loads of books, yet you don’t know the truth?
Have you not read that Marks was a Jewish immigrant who settled in Leeds? Opened a market stall in Leeds (not Wigan)?
Met Spencer through his supplier? Opened their first shop in Cheetham Hill, Manchester?
That’s where it all started for M&S, Maureen.
Leeds and Manchester.
Yes, Wigan did come into the equation through the years, but certainly wasn’t “where it all started for M&S”.