Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 7th February, 2024)

Is the chippy still in use? Had many a meal from there but it was a few years ago, I don't get into Wigan now adays.

The King Of Prussia Pub was on the right hand corner were Mr Chips is. There was another pub further up on the left hand side I think that was The Globe but might have that wrong.
Amazing that the name survived two World Wars with Germany, doubt there were any Inn’s in Germany named The King Of England.
I wonder if there were protest at time to change the name?

The Alexandra pub in Whelley (now a Tesco) was once known as the Von Blucher.

in studying the picture, Mr Chips (which I think is closed) looks to be a new build, I wonder if the white building at the back that looks much older was part of the King of Prussia? I might have a root and a toot today!

I remember walking up there with my then youngest son , I had been reading about the cellars where the clergy from any faith would hide,and there was quite a few if I recall, so I had to go and have a look, and my goodness those poor people having to hide in those dark dank cellars or risk their lives, and we complain about the cold, how cold must they have been. ..there is an awful lot of history in the Parish church…on another note the chippy fish and chips were very nice.

Sorry folks,I should have stated that the cellars I went to have a look at were at the back of the Parish church...doh.

I'm not sure if Mr. Chips is still open but I know it was very popular. We tend to go to The Chippery on Market Street these days. I occasionally bought chips from Mr. Chips when I used to go to Wigan three times a week to pick my grandchildren up from school, (a few years ago now), and I would sit in the church gardens to eat the chips, but the last few times I went in there were people lying on the grass or on the benches who were obviously either drunk or drugged and it felt unsafe. But I love those quaint streets and alleyways.

Willelm 11 was the last King of Prussia and the grandson of Queen Victoria. His reign began in 1888 he abdicated at the end of the 1st WW. The last King of Prussia and the last German Emperor. I wonder if the pub was named in his honour being the Queen’s grandson. I can only think that is why the pub was so named. Any ideas?

There was a pub in Atherton called Prince of Saxe Coburg.I have often wondered how pubs got German names and kept them especially during WW1.

Wots that fella looking at ?

The Pub further up Hallgate on left hand side was the Bricklayers Arms.

Veronica - the pub was called the King of Prussia before the Kaiser was born.
He was born in 1859, and the pub was there with that name in the 1820s.
It probably got the name because the Prussians were our allies during the Napoleonic Wars.
At the Battle of Waterloo, the Prussian army under Von Blucher played a decisive role.

Prince Albert was a Saxe Coburg prince. Victoria’s Consort. He was also her cousin. A lot of inbreeding in those times. That must have been a factor. All that ended after the first WW.

Kaiser Bill as we affectionately refer to him became King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany in 1888 so the date would fit.
As an aside I once met his descend the current Prince of Prussia who was over on a hunting trip in Wiltshire, that was about 10 years ago, I have had a number of encounters with European and Middle Eastern Royalty over the years and still have a nice signed picture of Sultan Qaboos of Oman.
Back to Dennis’s picture, I took another look this morning and the entire building looks to be very old but modernised at ground floor level. The upper windows do look old but hard to date. Poked my nose around the back but think it is closed completely but no sign of it being up for sale or to let.

Prince Albert husband to Queen Victoria was a Saxe-Coburg. Perhaps it was named after him.

“ Gebher von Blucher, Furst Wahlstatt.
( what a mouthful)
A Commander during the Napoleonic Wars and a Prussian Field Marshall. Important in the Allied Victory at Waterloo.”
That explains it then Tony L.
What would we do without Google!

Tony L, many thanks for the clarification, if 1820 that sounds right.

Apologies Veronica. I hadn't seen your post about Prince Albert .Didn't mean to double up x

Colin - it's in Baines' 1825 Directory.
Licensee Samuel Hickox.

That bloke on the photo could be Mr Chips. He certainly looks like he's eaten a few plates full of them. And that bobcap, bowt bob, does him no favours. Typical Wiganer.

It probably came on at the same time Meg. No bother ..x

Thanks Veronica and Meg for the info.

Dennis, a good photo along with good discussion.

Colin, here's a couple of links to photos on the Album which may be of interest you regarding the one time pub.

https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=34404&gallery=Hallgate&page=13

https://www.closedpubs.co.uk/lancashire/wigan_kingofprussia.html

and here's a photo of Von Blucher at Whelley that Dennis mentioned.
https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=33475&gallery=PUBS&page=1

Sir Bob, you will find that The Bricklayer Arms is directly behind Dennis taking the picture on Hallgate, not further up on the left hand side. There was once a pub further up on the left that was The Globe Vaults, now long gone.