tarboat's photos with the keyword: wigan

Orenstein & Koppel excavator and face shovel at the Cutacre opencast coal mine at Little Hulton, between Bolton and Wigan. UK Coal was hoping to extract 900,000 tonnes of coal here.

The Clarence Hotel on Wallgate in Wigan was built as a public house in 1898 to the designs of Wigan based architect William Edward Vernon Crompton. The building shows extensive use of red terracotta. It is listed Grade II.

Swan Meadow works welfare building, Eckersley Mills, Wigan. Listed Grade II. This 1918 building provided canteen facilities and an entretainment hall to the the three large Western Mills operated by Eckersleys Ltd. The design was probably by Stott and Sons.

The Coop clothing factory was built in 1871 by R Todd of Southport, for Timothy Coop and James Marsden. There were large additions in 1888, by Isitt and Verity, and in 1892 by W Verity. It is listed Grade II. Coop & Company Ltd. was founded in 1862 in Wigan. Timothy Coop, a retail tailor, sought to reduce the employment caused by the slump in the cotton trade, by training local women and girls to use sewing machines for the manufacture of men's clothing. Coop was one of a number of local men involved in a relief committee, supporting those left unemployed by the impact on the cotton industry in Lancashire by the American Civil War. After visiting America, Coop and his business partner, James Marsden, built new premises on Dorning Street, Wigan, opened in 1872. This was followed in 1879 with the opening of the Mantle Department for women's clothing, and in 1880 and 1890, new wings were added to the original structure. Coop produced service uniforms during both the First and Second World Wars, and was in business until 1990.

Ghost sign for the Ben Jonson Hotel at Marus Bridge on the outskirts of Wigan. The current pub is actually a little further along the road and, remarkably, seems to be still in business. Why a pub in the mining districts of Wigan should be named after a 16th/17th century playwright is a mystery.

This enginehouse once formed part of the Albion Ironworks at Aspull, Wigan. It clearly housed a large beam engine, with the bob wall on the other side, but its purpose has never been satisfactorily explained.

Construction began on the 1,070 seat County Playhouse in 1916 for Eagle Picturedrome Company to the design of W. Ellis from St Helens, although due to a shortage of materials and labour during World War I, it was not completed until 1919. Having survived a major fire in 1949, the cinema closed on Sunday 13th November 1966 with Disney’s 'The Sword and the Stone'. It was taken over by the Leeds Based Star Cinemas chain and they converted it into Star Bingo and Social Club. The building has since been used as a discount store and Playhouse Club Café and is currently the 1,200 capacity Pure Nightclub.

Construction began on the 1,070 seat County Playhouse in 1916 for Eagle Picturedrome Company to the design of W. Ellis from St Helens, although due to a shortage of materials and labour during World War I, it was not completed until 1919. Having survived a major fire in 1949, the cinema closed on Sunday 13th November 1966 with Disney’s 'The Sword and the Stone'. It was taken over by the Leeds Based Star Cinemas chain and they converted it into Star Bingo and Social Club. The building has since been used as a discount store and Playhouse Club Café and is currently the 1,200 capacity Pure Nightclub.

The Swan and Railway on Wallgate in Wigan was built as a hotel in 1898 to the design of W.E.V. Crompton. Today it functions as a rather basic pub but is listed Grade II.

Only in Wigan would this be considered normal.

Signal against the sunset at Wigan this evening.

In 1884 James Eckersley built the first of the Western Mills and by 1899 there were three mills on the site being operated by James Eckersley & Sons. In 1888 the firm was the largest ring spinning business in Britain. Today the remains of the mills are in poor condition and awaiting a rejuvenation scheme. This facade appears to have been completed c1921 and features some nice terracotta details.

In 1884 James Eckersley built this, the first of the Western Mills and by 1899 there were three mills on the site being operated by James Eckersley & Sons. In 1888 the firm was the largest ring spinning business in Britain. Today the remains of the mills are in poor condition and awaiting a rejuvenation scheme. The No.1 mill seen here was built as an integrated mill with a spinning block with integral engine house, chimney, reeling and winding rooms, weaving shed and warehouse. This is the spinning block which is listed Grade II. In front once stood James Eckersley senior's original Swan Meadow Mills of 1827 and 1838 which were demolished in 1960 and 1963.

In the industrial areas of East Lancashire where brick predominates, there is a certain style to much of the terraced housing dating from the later nineteenth century. Small walled front gardens are often embellished by terracotta topped gateposts such as this fine collection on Wigan Road in Atherton. The quality of this particular group suggests products from the Rochdale area.

Swan Lane Colliery at Hindley was operated by John Johnson in 1864 and passed in 1868 or 1869 to Edward Johnson who commenced sinking new pits and developing the business including brickworks. Johnson was declared bankrupt in 1886 and the colliery was taken over by Moses Morris who traded as the Swan Lane Brick and Coal Company. Swan Lane Colliery was closed in 1893, some of the brickmaking plant was sold on 15th June 1893. The 1893 1:2500 OS Map shows four round kilns and three rectangular kilns adjacent to the colliery. This square brick paver was picked up on the beach at Crosby.

The terracotta decoration on the Municipal Buildings, Hewlett St, Wigan, is extensive and spectacular. Constructed in 1900 to the design of architects Bradshaw and Gass of Bolton, the building was originally built for the Royal London Friendly Society as seven shops with upper floor storage and private offices.

The old Town Hall on the corner of Rodney St and King St in Wigan dates from 1866. It was was designed by architects Nuttall and Cook and cost £12,000. A grade II listed building, it has been abandoned since the early 1990s and is in a terrible state. Parts at the rear have been demolished. Redevelopment, possibly as a hotel and conference centre, will eventually take place and the facade will be kept.

Next door to the derelict old town hall on Rodney Street in Wigan is the Grade II listed Westwood Estate Office. Designed by architects Heaton and Ralph, it was completed in 1896. Today it is a restaurant.