Wigan Album

Was there not a florists on the right going up from the Market Hall end back in the late 40's early 50's ? What a wonderful arcade it was & I hope still is

Yes there was a florist - was it one of Higham's shops. I forgot boots had and entrance in Makinson's Arcade.

Higham's was there till a few years ago, also at one time Dewhurst's Butchers, the outdoor license with the wonderful copper shop front, a popular barbecue shop and Thornton's had a little shop in the mid/late 70s.

Yes,it's still a nice arcade, Helen,and at the moment has union jacks strung all over it, looking very patriotic and colourful. The only thing I don't like is the constant piped music, but you can't get away from it these days, be it in cafes, supermarkets, everywhere. Why can't we just be quiet?!

It is a nice arcade
the only thing I don't like is, these days half the shops are empty.

I remember a shoe shop called Lennards I think it was called, on the left hand side as you walked down from Standishgate. Was it still there at this time I wonder? I bought my first pair of winkle pickers there in the early sixties. During the Fab Four's era I also bought a pair of 3" Cuban heel zip side boots with a seam up the middle from Lennards. I had seen John Lennon wear a pair just like them in A Hard Days Night. Though I was the bees knees when I wore them. Came home from school one day to find the heels had been cut down to 1" at the cloggers in Scholes. Mum thought they were too tall for me. I was devastated and dad quite rightly made mum buy me a new pair. I had saved up my pocket money for them and they cost, I think, about 39s/6d. A lot of money then. You could buy an LP and a single 45 and still have change. I laugh at it now.

the aroma of coffee was great.

been down there today , well you go down it every time you go wigan, but its not same today its ok but was better in 60s n 70s look at the floor it was ordinary everyday flags not going anywhere but today theire constantly trying to fix um what was wrong with ordinary flags ?