Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 6th March, 2024)

Owd Kess now that's a name to cunger with, formally the old Commercial Inn down Victoria Road. Had a few pints in there about 30 years ago and was really nice and friendly, a great atmosphere.
Cheers John.

Not a pub I am familiar with but a nice picture and bit of history, thanks John.

I haven't seen Owd Kess's for years! It was actually called The Commercial Inn but , like a lot of pubs, was known by the name of the landlord, in this case Kes Walls. The Queens on Walthew Lane was still known as Tommy Alec's when we moved to Platt Bridge in 1971, even though he hadn't been the landlord for many years. I didn't know Kess's was still standing! What a sad state it's in. There used to be a
number of pubs in Platt Bridge...The Platt Bridge Inn, The Queens Arms, (I worked at both those pubs), The King Billy, , The Commercial, (Kessie's), The Victoria and The Railway, and three clubs, (Platt Bridge Labour Club, Platt Bridge Legion, and The Catholic Club). Of all those, only The Catholic Club is still running.

This pub landlord was Kess Wall for very many years.
The pub always reminds me of the old Bridgewater Arms on Liverpool Road in Hindley, now a Chinese restaurant. Both buildings look exactly the same even now.
Good photo John.

Never been in there. Platt bridge always reminds me of being a rundown place and known for years has Giro City. But years ago it had everything, pubs, clubs, banks, post office, butchers, newsagents, laundrys and car dealers.

Thanks for the explanation of the name. It reminds me of The White Lion, Wrightington which 60 years ago was always known locally as Owd Bob’s after the landlord Bob Mawdsley.
He had is own chair that nobody else could sit on without bringing a deathly hush in the room which I did on my first visit. I soon moved!

Irene, your right Platt bridge had everything, we've had a drink or two after days of sweaty coal bag rounds. Been in all those pubs and clubs you've mentioned many years ago.

Irene don't forget the LUT club on Liverpool Road. The Lancashire United bust depot.

You're right Malc and Garry....Like most local villages, Platt Bridge had three butchers, (Websters on Liverpool Road and Deakins and another one on Walthew Lane), two launderettes, Seth Ratcliffe's greengrocers,
two newsagents, a pet shop, a wool shop, even an electrical shop and a wallpaper shop! Also banks, pubs and clubs. Same with Ince, where I grew up. It had all those, and corner shops too. Luckily there is a Co-op, an Iceland Store and a Home Bargains in Platt Bridge, only a short distance from where I live, otherwise it would mean trips to Wigan, Leigh or Ashton for basic things.
ALAN. yes, you're right about the LUT Club on Liverpool Road, and there was once a Low Hall Inn too, somewhere opposite the bus depot, but I have only seen old photos of it.

It’s a shame these old pubs are not as well maintained as previously
They could be done up and made into a good home. Platt Bridge was a nice place in the fifties as I remember.

Would it be fair to say the local residents liked their ale, a little to much maybe with having so many drinking establishments.

What was the site of the labour club is now being cleared for a drive through nosh shop

I am sure the Bridgewater had two bay windows.Had quite a few mates in Platt Bridge and have been in most of the places mentioned especially The King Billy.

Was there once a tram shed in Platt Bridge near to where Tram Street is?

Sorry should have said Bus and not Bust.

I would say the pub was home from home in many ways. Neighbours from the same street in the pub at the end of the street. That’s why they were called Public houses. The Pub and the Pictures were the main entertainment after a hard days work. Plus the decor was probably nicer than their own homes and more comfortable for many and perhaps warmer. It wouldn’t be all about drinking it was their social life. Today perhaps it’s about other substances and the drink is cheaper in the off licences and supermarkets. It’s obvious really. Plus in the very early days no TV’s. The pub was the hub mainly for the men.

Abram Alice, I don't think Platt Bridge had any more pubs than most places. I was born in Ince in the 1950s and there were many pubs....people didn't drink much at home back then and tended to go out to the pub, the labour club or the legion, especially at the weekends, whereas now they stay in with drinks from the Supermarket, watching the telly. I think the beer was stronger back then as you could smell it through every pub door when I was a child , and hear someone belting out an off-key rendering of "Honelee a rose hi give yooooooo!", to the accompaniment of the pub's piano! Gone are those days!
Colin, yes , there was a tram shed in Tram Street, and I think it's still there. It was a furniture and carpet outlet when I got married and moved to Abram in the 1970s; I'm not sure what it's used for now. The old tramway waiting room and (I think), toilets were still in place too, though obviously no longer in use. They were just off the main road in Platt Bridge , just before you turn right into Lily Lane towards Ashton , and behind them, going down to Templeton Road, (behind what is now the Iceland Supermarket). you could still see parts of the tramlines here and there. They are still there, as far as I know, but no longer visible. In fact, people taking a short cut down there from Abram to Platt Bridge, still call it "goin' down t'tramlines".

My family weren't drinkers like most of the locals, but I do remember going to a couple wedding receptions in the clubs.

I seem tramlines near the British Legion.

I seem tramlines near the British Legion.

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=34275

Lily Lane, the old Platt Bridge Legion, the left hand side of Walthew Lane going towards Wigan, from the junction with Lily Lane to Millers Lane, Millers Lane itself, Tram Street, the old Tram Sheds, the Holy Family Church, that Owd Kess's Pub, they are actually all in Abram, not Platt Bridge.

I am very surprised at that, Sr Bob, as I live in Abram and the sign to say you are entering Abram is at the traffic lights that stand at the road junction with Lily Lane, so I imagined you were only in Abram when that sign was behind you. There is a cafe called "Home to Roost" on the right-hand side of the road just before you turn right into Lily Lane, and its address is 64-66, Warrington Road, Platt Bridge. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just puzzled.

Thanks for your comments everyone it’s the first time I saw the Owd Kess as I was making my way to Paul’s bike shop from the canal and he was telling me that it was once the Pit Offices and there is still a mine shaft either side of the place,he lives nearby a decent chap.Maybe Brian will show the Dover Lock Inn as I passed there later on that day what a state and to think it was once busy serving decent grub.

“I seen the A-Team”.

Irene - you forgot to mention the fantastic Handyman's Store on Walthew Lane. Great stock and good prices.

Rev David, you are absolutely right.....The Handyman's is a brilliant shop, and their old-fashioned courteous service by helpful and well-mannered staff is second-to-none. I have paid for things at the the till on many occasions where the assistant has then rushed from behind the counter to open the door for me!
John, (Westhoughton), the Dover Lock was yet another local pub who everyone called by its "local" name.....it was actually The Red Lion originally and I remember a couple in a car stopping to ask me directions in the 1970s, and I told them there was no "Red Lion" pub in Abram! As they began to drive away I realised they meant The Dover Lock and had to rush after them! A few years later it was actually re-named "The Dover Lock".

Further to my comments in which I said that.

"Lily Lane, the old Platt Bridge Legion, the left hand side of Walthew Lane going towards Wigan, from the junction with Lily Lane to Millers Lane, Millers Lane itself, Tram Street, the old Tram Sheds, the Holy Family Church, that Owd Kess's Pub, they are actually all in Abram, not Platt Bridge"

It seems some are not convinced about this, to which I say have a look on 'Side by Side' maps and you will see on old maps where the border between Platt Bridge and Hindley was and is located.

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/

I also offer up a picture of the border crossing between Abram and Platt Bridge, which was on the corner of Walthew Lane and Millers Lane, with the old National Westminster Bank in the background, which is now the Post Office, the sign also shows that Platt Bridge is actually part of Hindley, the same way that Bamfurlong and Bickershaw are part of Abram.

https://i.ibb.co/rtsM5vh/Platt-Bridge.jpg