Wigan Album

Was the Theatre Royal later known as The Hippodrome, it looks like it was in the same place? I might be wrong. I remember the building went a long way back. On the rare occasions I was taken there we entered at the side entrance to all the steps leading up to the 'gods'.

The Hippodrome was built on the site next to The Theatre 0 opposite Rodney street. The Theatre Royal closed in January 1904. The Hippodrome, next door opened in March 1904. The Theatre Royal was demolished, but the facade was kept and made the front of the Shakespeare hotel.

Thanks for the info Carol. I had heard of the Shakespeare but had never been inside. To be honest I don't remember the building after all this time. Yet I can still see the Hippodrome in my memory.. I must see if I can find a photo of the Shakespeare to jog my memory.

Ron, another great map and explanation.
The on the opposite corners of The Quadrant next to the Theatre Royal must be The Wigan Brewery also recently featured. More intriguing still is the Leaders Building opposite the Royal Court Theatre.
I have been researching this building as it has many Masonic symbols in its design, I have no luck on this with the Masons though!
What I do see is that part of it in those days gone by was The Wigan Club, do you have any knowledge of what the Wigan Club might have been?

PS. Looking at the back of the Public Hall you will see a curved wall. That wall was still there around 1970 when I was a Wigan Tech. Len Gibson gave us a tour and pointed out this feature during the refurbishment. This is next on my list to visit to see if it is still there!