Places   (Help with places, streets and buildings in Wigan.)

I wouldn't say 'world stage'. The only people to have heard of it, other than locals, were Soul fans.
Many times, on mentioning Wigan Casino, people have asked "how much have you won"? or "how much do you lose"?

Ask any non-soul-orientated person in Wigan "do you know of the Torch in Tunstall"? and they'll answer with "where's Tunstall"?

PS: I met a girl from Norton at the Casino and spent a while going down there. Her main local place at the time was the Top Rank Suite, in Hanley. I'd say the Midlands was more Soul orientated than here.