Wigan Album
Wallgate
18 CommentsPhoto: Keith Bowen
Item #: 10129
Somehow don`t think this is Wigan?
It is the same place. Compare this picture with the one submitted earlier. The shop on the corner of the curved building (on this one with the sun blinds rolled out) on both pictures is called Ranicars. I know at first it looks deceiving
Yes,it's the Tote building that I photographed on a visit to Wigan last week.It's the most common view of the Town Centre but one I have never seen before.Thanks for showing.
Dave Johnson, Your right thats never Wigan in the memory of man, The buildings in the far background where never in Wigan,
It is Wigan. Ranicar's, the shop on the left were an old established Wigan business, and occupied what is now the Tote building.
Have a look at the link below. The same building can be seen from a different angle - same windows, same shop blinds. http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=1941&gallery=Wallgate&offset=0
Of course it's Wigan! The horse and cart is heading down wallgate with the Raven, Big Lamp and Golden Lion on the right of the picture, the GPO and Dog and Partridge on the left. The curved building which is Ranicars then became a bank and is now a bookies! the background buildings are in Market Place, the side where Thomas Cook, the pie shop and the RBS is . . .
And if you look in the background in Market Place, you can see a steam hauled tram for Pemberton.
I must admit at first glance I didn't think it was Wigan, but as someone has said, it's the Ranicar shop that makes it 100% Wigan.Also, I think the road looks quite a bit wider and there appears to be some very tall buildings behind what was later the old bus offices in Market Place. Maybe some fault in the film as I am sure there were no buildings so high, or maybe an optical illusion?
The sign on the right "Monks" is also the name of an old Wigan firm or company
The photo posted by Darren Bishop Item 7804, at http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.phpopt=5&id=7804&gallery=Wallgate&offset=40 has exactly the same "feel" to it and looks as if it was taken around the same time.
Re the buildings in Market Place. If this pic was taken prior to 1904 the Corporation buildings would not have been there, but a number of shops which stood on the site previously had advertising signs and hoardings at roof level. This may account for the unusual skyline.
Ron Hunt is right there was never ever any buildings so high in Wigan as what is shown in far background, Born and bred very near to centre of Wigan many many moons ago so i do know what i am talking about
Hi Tom, Can you please tell me where you wearing supersonic glasses when you looked at picture, if so can you please tell me where i can get a pair.
Hi Keith...I've seen lots of old photos of Wigan and I'm convinced this is looking up Wallgate, but what's the monument in the middle of the road ?, I've never seen that before.
The monument is the base of a tall lamp standard Bob. Have a look at this other pic. from the album: http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=1941&gallery=Wallgate&offset=0
Hi Bob, I think Mick has given you the perfect answer. If there are still any "doubters" out there then the sign to the right "Monks" should be the clincher. They had a Corn Mill in Chapel Lane (there's an illustration of it in Bob Blakeman's book) and their Chief Office was at 1 & 3 Bretherton Row, Wallgate, exactly where the sign is located, incidentally Bretherton Row is where my great grandparents lived in the 1870's, they "lost" their first five children before the age of 3 years of age so I imagine living conditions were not that great in Bretherton Row at the time.
I know its "proved" to be Wigan...but it looks more like Huddersfield to me. With the big grand rail station in the far background.
I’d certainly be inclined to believe you Steve if you could show Huddersfield had a Rannicar AND a Monks business sign in the same street!