Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 22nd July, 2024)

Clear picture Dennis it looks like they have been converted and now lived in.
I think that stone building at the bottom is the back of one of those properties on Arcade Street.
I’m not sure if there where permanent barracks there but during the 18th century all that area between Millgate and what was to become Library Street and King Street was a labyrinth of back alleys and lanes filled with workshop and hovels and there were many episodes of disorder and riots necessitating the bring in of troops from out of town so perhaps they were billeted there.
I did once read something about the Irish Riots when troops were use to quell the disorder, not sure if that was the Irish or the English rioting against the sudden influx of Irish immigrants.
One serious riot saw the destruction and looting of many business and houses including homes of some prominent people who were attacked.

Looks like the old Officer's Club .

I also read some comments on WW, under the hading Wigan Barracks from 2010 that I can’t find again, that gives reference to The Barracks being in Powell Street and that a Scottish Regiment was stationed there. Perhaps they were brought in to quell the riotous English and Irish!???

Apparently the barracks were originally near to Powell Street area,there are articles online about it.

Often an area of crowded, densely packed housing would be referred to as Barracks.
I've found this on censuses, researching my Liverpool ancestors.
A bit closer to home, the old housing on Alma Hill Upholland (demolished in the 1930s) was known as The Barracks, but had no military connection.

Poet, it is the building which was once The Officer's Club. The bar had a few name changes.
I'm not sure what all the building is used for now, but it is obviously no longer a bar.

Good photo Dennis, this was a bar that I never ventured into.
As said it now appears to be flats, though there are beer kegs on the left.

Here's an interesting article about Barrack Square from Wigan Building Preservation Trust and by Ken Scally of Wigan Local History and Heritage Society Etc,.
https://www.wiganlocalhistory.org/articles/the-times-and-history-of-barracks-square

Interesting read that Cyril, tells the whole story, thanks.

The old drill hall was on Powell St….all demolished to make way for the duel carriage way and Mecca Nightclub

Is this the article you read Colin
https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/communicate/mb_message.php?opt=f2&msd=548536&offset=&subject=WIGAN%20BARRACKS

Dennis, not very informative at all. In fact, misleading. Firstly, Barrack Square is not "on the right as you enter Library Street", it's further down Library street and round the bend. The fact that Library Street didn't exist until the late 1800's isn't told. Barrack Yard also didn't exist until Library Street was created. It was called 'Old Cloth Hall Yard' and the only access was from Wallgate.
Where Library Street now is was called Queens Head Yard and, inbetween that and Old Cloth Hall Yard was called Bay Horse Yard.

Never been down this passageway in all the time I lived in Wigan. I knew it as the Officer’s Club and wondered what the connection was to the Military. Interesting photo next time I come to Wigan I’ll go down there.