Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 2nd March, 2014)

Shame!!!

I remember being there when Squire Banks owned it. It didn't look like that then.

Bet this will end up flats for; you all know who. Its a disgrace what this country is turning into. Dare I say it the British people will be no more. Think & Vote

I wonder could this possibly end up has Apartments [flats] but because they are called Apartments they will sell for about the same price has a detached house. They look great when there is no one about. Please rent one before buying It really will make you think

It is a real shame that, once impressive, building get into this state of disrepair. I think on a previous PAD I heard that some developers, maybe, had bought this place. I think this is one building that should be razed to the ground and then build something useful.

as a Winstanley this is very sad.

How many more Great Halls are in the same state? Haigh Hall will be next if money is not spent on it followed by the Wigan Pier Complex

Who owns this now?

Its probably to far gone now to be restored with out spending a fortune on it.
So best thing would be to knock it all down and reuse the good bits on some new development, then build some new executive style of houses in its place.

Dorbcrest homes bought it a few years ago to turn into apartments but it never materialised. I don't know if they still own it.

I think there have been ongoing talks between the owners & the powers that be about the fate of this old place.... ongoing for a long time. Obviously with no result, I would think the owers are waiting for it to get so bad that a demolishion order is slapped on it.
I wonder about local planning & planners these days...different rules for different people. Is it a low grade listed building ? Why don't you rattle a few cages if you know who the owners are ?? A disgraceful state of affairs. Shame on whoever is dealing with it.

A quick interweb search suggests that the building Grade II* and is owned by a developer and recent planning applications were either rejected our withdrawn. The 'save britains heritage' group are raising money to try and save the building by working with the owners and English Heritage. I have emailed them today for an update on their progress!

Please god they don't demolish it.

At risk info at:-
http://www.savewigan.co.uk/atrisk.php?id=5

So sad....no cheers...

It will be an outrage if this building is demolished. Can't anyone intervene. Is there a group that is trying to save it.

Andrew Can you please let us know what they say. I would join a group to save it.

Well done Andrew !

To think the bankes who owned this were some of the richest people in England. What a b. . .y. Shame. It was going to be apartments but failed on some sort of planning permission to change the front of it .or something like that.

Anonymous, I have crept up to the hall a few times but never been inside, so much history and a wealth of memories not just for the Bankes family but for Highfield and Winstanley too . . .
If only it could be saved . . .
And if not just leave it, do not demolish it better to have an ancient ruin than nothing at all