Wigan Album

I'm puzzled as to why there is a gap between the buildings on the right where the gable end is showing? Ive never noticed that before?

The gap where the gable end was - led down to the Commercial Pub, in the Commercial Yard.
Back in the 1950s and 60s the NUPE held their union meetings in that pub

John No it isn't. The Commercial Yard entrance, which you are referring to, is between the two shops with window blinds

Looks like the entrance to where the "little arcade" was.

P.B. The LITTLE ARCADE was a few yards towards the centre. Next to BAKERS JEWEL CASKET

The little arcade had a facade on it. That there looks like a temporary wooden fence to cordon it off?
Is that not the little arcade adjacent to Bakers at the back of the lamp post?

To me it looks like the new build that ended up being Boots opticians?

We tend to think that the old Wigan was a constant but this just demonstrates the many changes that have taken place over the years, buildings demolished or reconstructed. Many of the mock Tudor facades we love were only added around 1920.

Photo 30373, also submitted by Ron Hunt, shows the same location but viewed from a different angle, probably taken on the same day

The building that occupied that fenced-off gap on the right is shown in photo item 20573 (another from Ron Hunt). Maybe that will jog a few memories!

Looks like fire to me and the building next to Makinsons Arcade demolished and rebuild in brick.