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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



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

Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 6th September, 2024)

A Tale of Two Pubs


A Tale of Two Pubs
With Brick Kiln Lane between the two, the Whitesmiths Arms (Est. 1685) to the left has recently ‘again’ been refurbished to a high standard with a pleasant outdoor seating area to the side and appears to be successfully trading.
In stark contrast The Griffin Hotel (1895) altered in 1905 still languishes in a state of disrepair and neglect since its arson attack a few years ago and is now boarded up and vandalised.
Whatever will become of this forlorn architectural beauty once run by Wigan’s own legend Billy Boston.

Photo: Colin Traynor  (iPhone)
Views: 1,512

Comment by: The Observer on 6th September 2024 at 08:03

I've been reliably informed that when the fire damage insurance is sorted out, the derelict building will be demolished and the land will be made into a pay-and-display car park.

Comment by: T. D. on 6th September 2024 at 08:19

Maybe another HMO?

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 6th September 2024 at 08:33

I think that I am correct in saying that before the ring road was built, the entrance to Brick Kiln Lane was on the left hand side of the Whitesmiths almost directly opposite Powell Street.

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 6th September 2024 at 09:29

The Observer - Surely that cannot be true.
The Griffin is Grade ll Listed building built for Oldfields Brewer and bought by Walker Cain in 1926 and I would have thought that at least the facade had some kind of protection against demolition.

Comment by: WN6 on 6th September 2024 at 14:43

If I won on the Euro Lottery tonight I could do something with it.
They should demolish the old St Johns School at the back, that would make a much bigger car park. Currently it's an overgrown eye sore.

Comment by: Cyril on 6th September 2024 at 16:39

So very sad to see a once grand looking building in such a state.
You're right about the true location of Brick Kiln Lane Colin, as in between the Griffin and Whitesmiths were advertising hoardings and benches. There had been buildings there at one time, Chamberlain's music shop was there I think, the buildings were demolished after being on fire. Chamberlain's hadn't long moved to there from lower down as their original shop was demolished to make way for the row of new shops.

Comment by: good old days on 7th September 2024 at 10:17

dont worry about grade listed building in wigan if wigan council want it coming down it comes down car park it will be remember the roman ruins in millgate every town in the country would be proud off that mosaic wigan council filled it full off concret and made a multi storey car park for the grand arcade wich is now a ghost arcade

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