Wigan Album

The early 50's....how I remember those busy shopping days.
Bet it doesn't look as busy very often these days

good old woollies !

Memories... lovely memories...

That corner outside Woolworth's was the busiest corner in Wigan in those days,

It did AW..I bet there was many a problem sorted there..I can't get over how many people are on the photo..I think folk enjoyed going to the town centre more then than they do now..there doesn't seem to be another explanation for it,or is there one.

Maureen, I think that partly the reason there are so many people about is that the photo was probably taken on a Saturday. In the days when most people were working Monday to Friday ( a fair percentage of women included) and before the era of late night and Sunday openings, Saturday was the only day it was possible to shop for anything other than the daily basics available at your local corner shops.

Dennis,that makes sense,I tended to forget that of course there were no Supermarkets then..and of course the women would have to do their shopping for practically everything then in the town centre..it was a different life altogether wasn't it. and a better one in my opinion...but of course that is only my opinion.

Lots of towns, (Wigan, Warrington, Widnes, St Helens), to name a few ruined by big named supermarkets etc and with that the atmosphere of the community gone. When I was little, in the 60s, I remember the shop windows were lit at night and so magic to see. I also remember going with my Mum to get her 'Divvy' from the co-op.

My apologies Derek..I gave you the wrong name..silly me.

As Jane says during the winter months when the lights were on in the shops from around 4.00p.m. the town centre was magic. All night due to all the bus stops being in the ara around the Market Place the town was alive with people coming into town to visit the Pictures or pubs and leaving to go home Up to 11.00 p.m. or whenever the last buses left Wigan was ALIVE... Not now... a few weeks ago me and my wife had been to Manchester on the train, and got back at around 5.00p.m. the town centre was DEAD. I'm not saying Wigan today is different to any other town. I suppose they call it progress? but I'm glad I can remember Wigan in the 1950's onwards, and its good to look back on those GOOD TIMES. Something I tell my kids about but they will never understand.It's exactly the same when my dad would tell me about going around town in the 1930's. When you could go to the pictures(2 people) and buy a packet of cigarettes and have change from 1/-.

Going in to town for something was a big thing in those days, my grandparents only lived on Park Road and they would get dressed up to the nines if they had to go into Wigan in those days.

I didn't know anyone with a fridge or freezer in those days and housewives would often go up town on a daily basis for something nice and fresh for the old mans tea.Lots of memories,Ron

Thanks Ron. This is how I remember Wigan. Memories...