Wigan Album

Well done that man.

Sorry still not convinced, when was the Ranicars building opened? I have a photo prior to this and it does not seem to fit somehow.

When the building opened is immaterial. The fact is that the building shown in the photo under debate, is one and the same with that shown in over a dozen photos of Wallgate to be found in this album from the same period.

When I first saw these pics. I would have sworn that they were not of Wallgate but a check of the 1908 Directory (on this website) reveals.... wait for it.... Elias Ranicar had a shop at 54, Wallgate. Game, Set and Match, I think?

Another photo on the album shows Ranicars at the top of Makinson Arcade having moved from 22 Wallgate?

The address 22 Wallgate fits very nicely with the shop shown in the photo. The GPO is at 28 Wallgate, and there was a premises adjoining Ranicar's and the Dog & Partridge between them.
Ranicar's were a large well established Wigan company, and it would appear they had other premises at 54 Wallgate, as well.

I have a photo from a book which shows Ranicars at the top of Makinsons arcade, I dont know the date, but the shop is on the left looking down the arcade.

Elias Ranicar (and later his son Arthur)had shops in both Wallgate and the Makinson Arcade.