Wigan Album

I would love to have had a browse in that store, you can imagine the smell of paraffin as you walk through the door.
Thank you Jean for a small piece if history.

Agreed, Alex! I would love to walk in there.

It would be like walking into Aladdin's cave..lovely.

Does anyone know the location of this shop?
Green's supermarket; now B & M, is No. 34.
That would make this somewhere in the vicinity of Billington's old toyshop.

I believe workers of tin, aluminium and other non ferrous metals were known as whitesmiths.

Only ironmongers I can recall, early to late 60s was Johnny Moggies shop was close to the corner near the bank, I think quick save shop was there later. The old lad did not like kids used to chase them out or throw nuts & bolts at you, Infact he did not like Adults much either but in that shop was a treasure trove that time forgot.

This was my Great Grandfather's ironmongers and tinsmiths
shop at 50 Gerard Street. My Grandfather, Frederick Percy Swift who worked in the business as a tinsmith, is shown on the right of the picture.
The 1881 & 1891 censuses show the family living at no. 25 Gerard Street.
By the 1901 & 1911 censuses the family were living and operating their business at 50 Gerard Street, Ashton in Makerfield

Well done Jean giving us good info and the exact years, your grandad looked proud and dapper in his boater hat. When you look in the window at all the goods on display some of it looks expensive even the kettles would have been copper.

Re Johnny Moggies, I used to walk past everyday on the way to school, only went in once. Had a a big pile of rusty & dirty tools in the window which had a big crack down the middle and was held together by some metal braces and a bolt. Used to charge nearly new prices for rusty old tools. Surprised if he made any money. I used to prefer the row of junk shops near the old police station in Wigan. Bought a WW1 gas mask from there!