Wigan Album

Very interesting old map Phil, I never knew there was once a footbridge there. It seems to be leading from some building on Dorning Street but from what to where I just can’t read the print.
Also above to the right you can make out the formal gardens that would have been at the back of the Manor House located on the corner of Hallgate and Bishop’s Gate.
Thank you, Colin.

Colin, I can't make it out properly, but it seems to say Railway Commercial Hotel. Someone will know.
It later became the night club that if your face didn't fit, then you were not allowed in, I never went to there, but there are tales told about.

Colin, here's some comments (link below) about the building on wiganworld, after the hotel it was a Labour club before becoming other clubs, it was Pemps that I'd read that if the owner didn't like the look of you she'd not let you in, one of the Calderbank's apparently.
https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/photoaday.php?photo=2013-04-30

I never went there, Cyril, I liked to be home at nights even when young, but I have read many stories about Barbara, who sat in her car and decided who could and couldn't go into her club! I believe the beer was warm and your feet stuck to the floor so I can't see the attraction! I'd rather have a drink at home in comfort!

Pemps or whatever it was called.. I only went in once. for 5 minutes.. As Irene said My first impression was my feet were sticking to the carpet. Never even bought a drink, Came straight out. I can't see why it was so popular. There were plenty of other places in the town cente and they were a lot cleaner..

Irene and Ron, on reading the stories told about the club I'm glad that I never did venture down there, though I was never keen on going into those disco pubs and clubs as with the loud music always playing it irritated my ears.
I thought the All Saints Tavern was bad which I'd called in one time for a drink, my feet didn't stick to the floor, though there was blood splats on the wall and a lot of women nodding and winking, so I think I was probably in there for less than 5 minutes.

The 1850 map shows, Lancashire and Yorkshire Station, with the Railway hotel.

Yes, I remember nodding and winking at you in All Saints Tavern, Cyril. (Only joking.......LOL!! ).

Peter, I don't think the Railway Hotel is in this location, it was at the side of the railway bridge opposite the North West Station. The Swan was on one side of the bridge and The Railway on other side and when The Swan closed, The Railway became The Swan & Railway.

Irene, that was really funny. :¬)

I remember reading a comment some time ago on a photo of the Ship Hotel and the person was saying that in the fifties and sixties some of the ladies in there often had prices chalked on the soles of their shoes.

Though in the seventies when my wife and I were courting and on the rounds of some pubs in the town centre, we would sometimes call in at The Ship, though in the lounge where on most occasions there was only us in, I can't remember the brewery but the pub was a real gem as the landlord served an excellent pint. Anyhow, in the tap room, which could be seen through the bar, there was always a crowd of oldish women chatting and laughing, also a young lad was always with them and in a quite loud very camp voice would very often be heard saying "ooh Kitty what yer like!" and other such sayings, a pity they hadn't been taped as they'd have made superb radio catchphrases, that at the time some presenters played in-between records.

I’m sure there’s a photo in the Ship Hotel with a couple sat at a table and it looks very respectable.

Veronica, somewhere . (I think it's on Album but can't be certain), there is a photo of two people sat at a table in The Ship. It is in black and white and a bit hazy and there is cigarette smoke hanging in the air.....it is VERY atmospheric. I only ever went in The Ship once many years ago and it WAS atmospheric, with dark wood fittings and it seemed a decent pub, but I was a barmaid for many years in Platt Bridge and heard many tales in the taproom of Wigan's "Ladies of the Night" who used to go in there in the 1950s! I'm glad they've kept the frontage of The Ship in Millgate even though it is just a wall....it is part of Wigan's past and should be remembered.

Cyril From memory the Ship was a Moorfields pub - the brewery was also in Millgate. When I was at WGS in the 1960s Harry Moorfield (of the family) was in the year ahead. A picture of him is on WW #: 32076. i have read that the brewery closed in 1970