Wigan Album
Wigan Theatres
5 Comments
Photo: Keith
Item #: 31308
I think I remember reading somewhere that patrons of the Theatre were escorted to the Theatre entrance. An indication that the management showed due regard for their customers and perhaps their safety.
The Theatre looks near to where the Ritz would be much later - and Station Rd is blocked off - just like now with the Galleries! Very interesting.
I would imagine that the pub, The ship, in Millgate, was named, being in close proximity to Ship Yard.
Station road didn't exist in the 1840's (was only built when Central Station arrived in the late 19th century). Ship Yard was named after the he hotel not the other way round (same as Eagle Yard) - although some people think it's because the River Douglas came close to it at that time.
For all information on past Wigan Theatres go to Theatre history site arthurlloyd .co.uk go to list of all provincial Theatres scroll down to Wigan and all information regarding past Wigan Theatres can be found including the Wigan Theatre.
The footprint of the Eagle & Child Royal Hotel is almost identical to the old Woolworth / WH Smith building still there today but closed. If anyone remembers the extended length ran all the way down Station Road to the Ritz.
I recall that high up on the building as you entered Station Road there was a sign, perhaps in terracotta above a bricked up former entrance which read Royal Hotel, it was clearly seen as you walked down Millgate and into Station Road and might still be there behind the entrance to the Grand Arcade.
Where the X is marked roughly was a gated entrance to a delivery yard at the back of Woolworths which must have been into the location of the old Eagle Yard. In times past the main entrance to the yard from Standishgate must have been opposite the Wigan Bank, now the Nat West. Fascinating.