Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 6th October, 2023)

Congratulations on 17 YEARS of P.A.D. But what a sorry sign of Wigan, Closed down shops and pubs and only a few pedestrians.

What a miserable looking building.

A sad sight, as is the whole of Mesnes Street, (and Wigan for that matter). And this is meant to be progress.

Looks like ‘grey’ is a fashionable shade these days - it’s everywhere you look - shops, pubs and houses. I believe it’s sprayed on plastic mostly. It’s a drab colour to suit the atmosphere of a declining town. ( Apart from black- across the road which looks like it’s in mourning!) I won’t mention the pink next door…

PeterP blame the Internet.

The only shops it seems that are doing well in Wigan town are the pie shops and the false face and nail shops.

I am afraid that it is not just Wigan that is in decline. Most large towns, including where I live near King's Lynn in Norfolk are in the same state. Wilco being the latest to go. It seems to me that towns that are still alive are the ones that never had large stores, have plenty of small privately owned shops and free parking!
I feel very sad that my home town has declined and lost its character.

They've left the heating on again with all the pigeons up on the roof warming their feet.

The exterior of the Market Hotel was never exactly colourful, though before The Galleries the pub and even the whole area was vibrant - both day and night there was always plenty folk about, and the many colourful characters that worked at and frequented the Market Hotel more than made up for the subdued exterior. Mesnes Street I remember was always thronging with folks, and amongst the many different always busy shops it had four pie and confectionery shops and pies were sold in the Market Hotel too. In the camera shot the three shops would have been Sarah Lynn then Watkin's and then a women's boutique next door.

Tommy Dodds is correct and the Barbers too, there's one every few yards.

Full of prams with fur trims round the pram hoods when I went past earlier this week.What is that about??

That is true Brendell. I find that now where I live..there’s more big stores than ever there was…but the Market St of quaint shops we knew selling everything from a safety pin to a fitted carpet has gone. I used to travel twice a week to Wigan but now find everything I want where I live. The downside is more and more people are coming here to live and building new houses in the surrounding fields. The small town is disappearing before our very eyes…..

I agree with Brendell but have to say that Kings Lynn still has quite a busy shopping area, of course its smaller than Wigan....and has, thankfully , had the sense to keep its heritage. I was there on Tuesday & there were plenty of people about...even as you say Brendell, Wilko & Debenhams have gone but there are still big name shops in small premises...no high rents etc.

Brendell, many years ago I was sent on a course from work to Bircham Newton. The highlight of the week was supposed to be a night out in King’s Lynn.
Unfortunately, when we got there it was closed. The streets were deserted, bereft of anything living except a couple of scratchy dogs.
After much wandering we finally found a Pub that was open and entered hopefully. We were met by a shocked landlord who looked at us as though we were men from Mars who had just landed outside with the sole purpose of ruining his quiet, peaceful evening behind the bar.
Two pints later we were back on the coach to Bircham Newton wishing we had stayed in Bircham and watched the telly!
Nothing to do with the photo of course, but mention of King’s Lynn brought that evening back to mind, now I wish it hadn’t!

Last saturday morning at 11.30 a.m. looked down Mesnes St. from Mesnes View and there was not one pedestrian to be seen.

Can't believe it's been 17 years of PAD, or how much wigan has changed in that time

All that i can say that the Wigan once i used to know looks like a worn down town, theres nothing left now wigan town centre its finished!v

I thought this pub had been compulsory purchased with a view to it being demolished along with the rest of the market. I think the new owner had spent quite a bit of money on it before it was ' bought ' off him. Just out of shot to the right, Hollowood Chemists, where we are due to receive CoviD 5 jabs later this afternoon.

Hasn't Wigan turned into a sad, depressing place, Market Hotel was at one time a lively pub, sometimes a bit too lively with football supporters, starting fighting. Looking at it now with that awful colour of paint, I wouldn't go in if they paid me. That shop directly opposite that's painted black looks terrible. What image are these people trying to portray?
Whatever it is, it's not working.

Update, we are just back from the jabs and can report the old Market Tavern ground floor is now a pram shop !!

I had my Covid and flu jabs on Wednesday there Standisher.

Of course we had a tattoo, a mark upon our hand ,
now the shift is everywhere, upon the progress sand
Try to feel you’re racing , with hope that you will catch ,
a tattoo more expecting , that we can’t begin to match !

H:i Helen
Yes, King's Lynn is not as bad as some towns and at least we still have our M&S including food store.
Dennis, you must have gone to the wrong end of town, we too have an area like Wigan's King Street, full of night clubs and kebab shops etc.

No offence Brendell, I am talking about forty odd years ago. No doubt it’s a lot different now.

Helen I can imagine Kings Lynn as being a larger town than Wigan

Is Mick sending his “bike seat “ out now to take photos and comment for himself? What a good idea…the seat is quite sensible I have to say. No theirs, there’s and they’re..fascinating!