Wigan Album

Harry Jones sold some very nice shirts, and remember Tickle's a bit higher up, it looked as though you wouldn't be able to find anything but Mr Tickle knew where everything was.

How I loved going in Tickles,it was like aladdins cave.

Maureen, I worked on fabrics in Debenhams 1973 to 1976, and if we didn't have something a customer wanted I would send them to Tickle's, and they always got fixed up.....and it was so atmospheric and full of character in there. The Grand Arcade isn't in the same league!

I've sat many a time in Russell Lyons Barbers (the one with the blood & bandages pole), waitin' me turn for a crop & listenin' to the printing presses going, up above, while looking at Marilyn Monroes' famous "Driftwood Calendar" photo..only young & foolish then ;o)

I only went in that barbers once Art, I asked him for "just a trim" and came out looking like my ears had been lowered.

Irene,I totally agree,the Grand Arcade isn't in the same league,all these shops and areas were full of character,Wigan Council seems intent in getting rid of all the little side streets just like the weind.

Irene, did you ever work on the Pen dept in Debenhams during those years? or was it Pendleburys then?

i hardly ever use the grand arcade, all that time demolishing and building i thought it was going to be something, hummm, what a disappointment its all chromey and has absolutley no caracter i thought it would have all the wigan feel inkeeping with our old town, but no it sounds like the noise you hear in the baths echoy and modern theres nowt wrong with modern but it makes me angry that someone has come along and been allowed to design this uneccessary place ,and its the same as that ugly head in millgate ooooooh cant stand it.

No, Gerry. I worked there exactly three years, from Aug. 28th 1973 to Aug 28th 1976. I worked in the basement first on glass and china, then on the ground floor on dress fabrics, then, during the long hot summer of 1976 I worked on the top floor on soft furnishings. I was expecting my first baby and sweltered...no windows and no air conditioning then! And the day I left it rained! I wish I had worked on pens; I have always had a love of stationery and spent hours as a child in Starr's and Wilding's on Wallgate.

Now w have come full circle Irene, Starrs the staitoners was where Johnsons the cleaners was on Wallgate. in the cellar was a box of sheaffer pens left from Starrs.

Just read your comment,Art;it brought back a memory of boys at school saying they went to the Barber in the Wiend for haircuts more often than necessary,Just to look at the Marilyn Monroe calendar!! This would have been in the mid-50's.I,of course went to Tickles, at first with mum,then for myself.What an Alladin's Cave that place was!

I was an apprentice at Madame Blackshaws hairdressers from 1965. It was situated on the right looking down.Mr.Blackshaw was the chiropodist.

On the left you can just make out Harry Jones shop which for many years I could not remember the name of. He sold quality men's shirts and ties etc. right up until at least the 1970's.
It's still there as a building now incorporated into Wetherspoons.
The exterior of the building on the right has changed little, I am sure the windows are exactly the same. It's now the Weind Bar and although I have been in it looks attractive, warm and cosey inside with its hanging window lights.

Not sure if I am correct in this assumption but I have visited many towns and cities in Scotland where the term for a winding lane or Wiend is quite common. Could there be a connection with this?
Could it be that Bonny Prince Charlie slept up there, I think he slept everywhere else in Wigan!!!!