Wigan

[Guest Casino forever]

Hi, off to Wigan next week with a relative. Northern Soul is a big part of our family and unfortunately we lost someone special last year who introduced us all to Northern Soul music.Taking a relative for a trip down memory lane. Going to visit the Grand Arcade, museum, history shop and art shop with paintings by David barrow. Can anyone help by recommending anywhere else that is Northern Soul related whether this be any pubs that were maybe visited before heading to the Casino or anywhere that is Northern Soul themed. Any help will be greatly appreciated x 

[Steve S 60]

Used to have a pint in the Bees Knees on the way from the station to the Casino.  Assume it's still there.

[Guest]

After your long trip down memory lane a nice chill out at  Wigan baths should be on the cards!

[Steve S 60]

See if you can persuade a friendly policeman to search your bag when you come through the ticket barrier at the railway station.

[Zed1]

Looking at a few B&W photo's in a Shopping Arcade is not really much of a trip down memory lane given the area is pretty much unrecognisable from back in the day.

Maybe call in your local Chemist on the way (after it's closed) then ask a few of the Wigan locals to chase you through the town centre before getting them to crush you up against the Shopping arcade door whilst shouting 'Stop Pushing at the Back' at you.

Also for the full effect ask EVERY person you meet on your trip 'What Time is it M8?' and 'Got any Chewy pal?'....

Eat the Cake etc.

 

 

[Guest Casino forever]

1 hour ago, Steve S 60 said:

Used to have a pint in the Bees Knees on the way from the station to the Casino.  Assume it's still there.

Thanks just checked and it looks like it's called last orders. Might just pop in. Thanks x

Edited December 16, 2016 by Casino forever
Misspelling

[Guest Casino forever]

1 hour ago, Steve S 60 said:

See if you can persuade a friendly policeman to search your bag when you come through the ticket barrier at the railway station.

[Guest Casino forever]

49 minutes ago, Zed1 said:

Looking at a few B&W photo's in a Shopping Arcade is not really much of a trip down memory lane given the area is pretty much unrecognisable from back in the day.

Maybe call in your local Chemist on the way (after it's closed) then ask a few of the Wigan locals to chase you through the town centre before getting them to crush you up against the Shopping arcade door whilst shouting 'Stop Pushing at the Back' at you.

Also for the full effect ask EVERY person you meet on your trip 'What Time is it M8?' and 'Got any Chewy pal?'....

Eat the Cake etc.

 

 

[Guest Casino forever]

1 hour ago, Steve Lane said:

After your long trip down memory lane a nice chill out at  Wigan baths should be on the cards!

 

1 hour ago, Steve Lane said:

After your long trip down memory lane a nice chill out at  Wigan baths should be on the cards!

[wiganpotter]

1 hour ago, Steve S 60 said:

Used to have a pint in the Bees Knees on the way from the station to the Casino.  Assume it's still there.

 The Bees Knees is now called " Last orders "  The "Ship pub " just around the corner from the Casino is now just a facade  for part of the front of the Grand Arcade . I personally feel you will be disappointed with your visit , there are only scant reminders of the Empress [Casino ]Ballroom my feelings are the council have never wanted to recognise it with a worthy memory , due to all the bad publicity it brought the town , whether it was warranted or not  . Just my personal opinion of course . Much has changed over the years , but I hope you enjoy your visit 

WiganBrian .

Edited December 16, 2016 by wiganpotter
missed off

[Peter99]

14 minutes ago, wiganpotter said:

 The Bees Knees is now called " Last orders "  The "Ship pub " just around the corner from the Casino is now just a facade  for part of the front of the Grand Arcade . I personally feel you will be disappointed with your visit , there are only scant reminders of the Empress [Casino ]Ballroom my feelings are the council have never wanted to recognise it with a worthy memory , due to all the bad publicity it brought the town , whether it was warranted or not  . Just my personal opinion of course . Much has changed over the years , but I hope you enjoy your visit 

WiganBrian .

No one had ever heard of Wigan before all the "bad shit" Brian!

[Guest Casino forever]

21 minutes ago, wiganpotter said:

 The Bees Knees is now called " Last orders "  The "Ship pub " just around the corner from the Casino is now just a facade  for part of the front of the Grand Arcade . I personally feel you will be disappointed with your visit , there are only scant reminders of the Empress [Casino ]Ballroom my feelings are the council have never wanted to recognise it with a worthy memory , due to all the bad publicity it brought the town , whether it was warranted or not  . Just my personal opinion of course . Much has changed over the years , but I hope you enjoy your visit 

WiganBrian .

Thanks for your info. I know there's not a great deal there which is a shame but will make the most of it. Hoping to get some prints from David barrow at the art shop and do some shopping too so all is not lost!  Is there anywhere Northern Soul themed? Can't believe that Wigan doesn't make the most of this fantastic genre! 

[Frankie Crocker]

You could sit on a draughty bench on Wigan Wallgate Station watching the gas lights flicker. Stand around on Wigan Northwestern platform and count the trains flying past before one stops. Get in touch with Russ and express thanks for the good times. Drive past the Trencherfield Mill and marvel at this cathedral of industry. Walk up a few terraced streets and note how little has changed in a hundred years. Like yourself, I'll be visiting Wigan for a day, on the family-tree trail with houses and headstones of deceased relatives on the agenda. My late grandmother worked at the mill and danced at the 'Emp' so I still get a lump in my throat walking down Station Road.

[Zed1]

Long after tonight was all over for the Casino, but long before Dancing in Cafe's and Shopping Arcades.....

[dedji1955]

The "Bees Knees" did change to the "Last Orders" but has now reverted back to it's original name "Dog and Partridge"

It's worth going upstairs in the "Grand Arcade" to the "Casino Cafe" they have some good original Casino memorabilia on display and check out the murals on the walls to the upstairs exit

If you turn right into the street before you enter the Arcade you are on "Millgate" you will see some of the "Ship Hotel" facade on your right.... If you continue on your right is a bar called "Casino de Cuba" if it is open they have plenty of Dave Barrows Casino prints on display... Bri Rigby who was an original Beachcomber n Ms DJ runs a soul night there on some Sundays.... The front door entrance to Ms was opposite the bar and slightly up the hill

The "History Shop" has been renamed "History of Wigan Life" it is on Library St... note it is closed on Wednesdays..... ask for the Casino catalogue, it has an index to link to all the Casino newspaper cuttings and articles

Their is an art shop on Hallgate which is off Market St.... The shop sometimes has Dave Barrows work on display and I'm sure it's Russ's old record shop

If your in Wigan at the weekend there are often soul events on, some are good

Hope you enjoy your visit to my home town.. Fred 

 

[Guest Casino forever]

8 hours ago, FRANKIE CROCKER said:

You could sit on a draughty bench on Wigan Wallgate Station watching the gas lights flicker. Stand around on Wigan Northwestern platform and count the trains flying past before one stops. Get in touch with Russ and express thanks for the good times. Drive past the Trencherfield Mill and marvel at this cathedral of industry. Walk up a few terraced streets and note how little has changed in a hundred years. Like yourself, I'll be visiting Wigan for a day, on the family-tree trail with houses and headstones of deceased relatives on the agenda. My late grandmother worked at the mill and danced at the 'Emp' so I still get a lump in my throat walking down Station Road.

Thanks, hope you have a good day too

[Guest Casino forever]

8 hours ago, Zed1 said:

Long after tonight was all over for the Casino, but long before Dancing in Cafe's and Shopping Arcades.....

[Guest Casino forever]

6 hours ago, dedji1955 said:

The "Bees Knees" did change to the "Last Orders" but has now reverted back to it's original name "Dog and Partridge"

It's worth going upstairs in the "Grand Arcade" to the "Casino Cafe" they have some good original Casino memorabilia on display and check out the murals on the walls to the upstairs exit

If you turn right into the street before you enter the Arcade you are on "Millgate" you will see some of the "Ship Hotel" facade on your right.... If you continue on your right is a bar called "Casino de Cuba" if it is open they have plenty of Dave Barrows Casino prints on display... Bri Rigby who was an original Beachcomber n Ms DJ runs a soul night there on some Sundays.... The front door entrance to Ms was opposite the bar and slightly up the hill

The "History Shop" has been renamed "History of Wigan Life" it is on Library St... note it is closed on Wednesdays..... ask for the Casino catalogue, it has an index to link to all the Casino newspaper cuttings and articles

Their is an art shop on Hallgate which is off Market St.... The shop sometimes has Dave Barrows work on display and I'm sure it's Russ's old record shop

If your in Wigan at the weekend there are often soul events on, some are good

Hope you enjoy your visit to my home town.. Fred 

 

Thanks Fred, this is great info! I'd looked at Casino de Cuba but didn't realise they had David Barrow prints in there and also didn't know that the art shop was Russ's old record shop, it adds to the Nostalgia! Do you agree with other posts on here that the doors to the Casino were located where the EE shop is located in the Grand Arcade and not where the actual plaque has been placed? Also I have read that the Raven and John Bull pubs were visited by some before heading to the Casino but don't know how correct this is? 

[BrianB]

50 minutes ago, Casino forever said:

Thanks Fred, this is great info! I'd looked at Casino de Cuba but didn't realise they had David Barrow prints in there and also didn't know that the art shop was Russ's old record shop, it adds to the Nostalgia! Do you agree with other posts on here that the doors to the Casino were located where the EE shop is located in the Grand Arcade and not where the actual plaque has been placed? Also I have read that the Raven and John Bull pubs were visited by some before heading to the Casino but don't know how correct this is? 

Don't forget that the pubsshut at 11pm in those days and the casino didn't open until 2am , so not many had a pint in Wigan before going to the casino.

[dedji1955]

50 minutes ago, BrianB said:

Don't forget that the pubsshut at 11pm in those days and the casino didn't open until 2am , so not many had a pint in Wigan before going to the casino.

The pubs might have officially closed at 11pm but most pubs carried on serving behind closed doors. also the Casino started opening earlier towards the end...            We never went in the John Bull it was more of a bikers pub, and I didn't spend much time in the Raven... The Clarence now called Sams Bar (Its a shit hole now) just up from the station, Crofters on the junction of Hallgate and Market St, The Grand Hotel. Dorning St and the Wallgate.. A club above Wallgate station along with the pictures is where we would go, although sometimes we went in early and cleaned up to get in free

Some of my mates think the plaque is sited in the wrong location, it's a long time ago and it's difficult to say

If your coming into Wigan via J25/M6 you will pass a Northern Soul sculpture screen the council erected, if your not passing it's not worth making a trip though

Have you got a date when you visiting???

[Staceys Dad]

ah yes..the chase through the streets of wigan after getting the last train to  wigan wallgate from southport..walked up the steps from the station and then  just ran as fast as my feet would carry me..never got caught once but one of the lads seemed to get kicked and punched every week  ( think thats why we let him come with us  better him than us  )..still bloody great  times..just wish i had taken it in a bit more ..i have forgotten so many good times there.....enjoy your trip

[Carty]

11 hours ago, dedji1955 said:

The "Bees Knees" did change to the "Last Orders" but has now reverted back to it's original name "Dog and Partridge"

It's worth going upstairs in the "Grand Arcade" to the "Casino Cafe" they have some good original Casino memorabilia on display and check out the murals on the walls to the upstairs exit

If you turn right into the street before you enter the Arcade you are on "Millgate" you will see some of the "Ship Hotel" facade on your right.... If you continue on your right is a bar called "Casino de Cuba" if it is open they have plenty of Dave Barrows Casino prints on display... Bri Rigby who was an original Beachcomber n Ms DJ runs a soul night there on some Sundays.... The front door entrance to Ms was opposite the bar and slightly up the hill

The "History Shop" has been renamed "History of Wigan Life" it is on Library St... note it is closed on Wednesdays..... ask for the Casino catalogue, it has an index to link to all the Casino newspaper cuttings and articles

Their is an art shop on Hallgate which is off Market St.... The shop sometimes has Dave Barrows work on display and I'm sure it's Russ's old record shop

If your in Wigan at the weekend there are often soul events on, some are good

Hope you enjoy your visit to my home town.. Fred 

 

Regarding the Dog And Partridge , ( this is the one, just up from the station where you go down the side to the back of a church right ? )    The Landlords name was Nobby , and back in the days of 11 o clock last orders , we would regularly arrive between ten past and half past eleven, the routine was always the same ,  as we entered,Nobby would look at the clock for what seemed like ages , the place would go quiet as the regulars looked on , then he would announce " Just in time lads what can i get you?"followed by  a cheer and laughter from the locals , at around ten to twelve he would always say "Sup up, Yer not in New York now lads " ( letting us know it was time to head off round the corner )   Wonderful times .  

[BrianB]

3 hours ago, dedji1955 said:

The pubs might have officially closed at 11pm but most pubs carried on serving behind closed doors. also the Casino started opening earlier towards the end...            We never went in the John Bull it was more of a bikers pub, and I didn't spend much time in the Raven... The Clarence now called Sams Bar (Its a shit hole now) just up from the station, Crofters on the junction of Hallgate and Market St, The Grand Hotel. Dorning St and the Wallgate.. A club above Wallgate station along with the pictures is where we would go, although sometimes we went in early and cleaned up to get in free

Some of my mates think the plaque is sited in the wrong location, it's a long time ago and it's difficult to say

If your coming into Wigan via J25/M6 you will pass a Northern Soul sculpture screen the council erected, if your not passing it's not worth making a trip though

Have you got a date when you visiting???

I was still going when it started opening at 12 , but we used to go on the beer in Burnley and catch our weekly minibus from L and T taxis , so I suppose we were lucky to miss the Wigan yobs.

Mind you , they were probably the lucky ones looking at some of the guys that got in that minibus from Burnley!

[wiganpotter]

On 12/16/2016 at 21:20, Peter99 said:

No one had ever heard of Wigan before all the "bad shit" Brian!

What !!!!!! Never heard of the Home of George Formby ....".Eeeeee  it`s turned out nice again " And the worlds best pies !!!!!!!!!!!    

[Peter99]

55 minutes ago, wiganpotter said:

What !!!!!! Never heard of the Home of George Formby ....".Eeeeee  it`s turned out nice again " And the worlds best pies !!!!!!!!!!!    

I knew I was pushing it with the pies! I've not had a decent pie for yonks. Steak and kidney would suit me real fine.