Y grandma used to say ‘it's people from Wigan
that want’ when every Christmas during my
childhood I would point at toys demanding ‘I
want that’. To this day I don't really understand where the
phrase came from and a recent visit proved there was no
substance to it.
For surely you couldn't be wanting for anything if you
live in Wigan. As well as strong sporting connections with
the Wigan Warriors and Wigan Football Club, there is an
interesting history - hinted at with the black and white
Tudor facades on some of the town's buildings - as well
as the hugely popular Wigan Pier and Haigh Hall and
Country Park and who could forget Uncle Joes Mint Balls.
The town even has its own first Wig and Wellies walk this
year to raise money for charity.
Add to this an endless source of little cafes, restaurants
and shops tucked away in the small streets winding away
from the centre and a thriving jazz festival this month it is
easy to mistake the former coal mining town for
something much grander.
Wigan is ambitious to rival nearby Manchester, Preston
and Bolton. And John Sanson, manager of the new £120
million Grand Arcade shopping centre, is spearheading
that campaign.
He said: ‘We want to make Wigan a better shopping
destination and get into the top 100 in the country. We want
to stop people going to Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and
Bolton. We can offer just as much as these places.
‘We knew that Wigan was punching below its weight
and we wanted to change that. The shopping centre plans
have evolved from being a small scheme to something
much larger for the whole of the town and we have more
plans for the next few years. It's all about creating
something different for Wigan rather than becoming
another clone town.’
There were some interesting finds during the work on
the shopping centre, which is built on the former site of
the Wigan Casino and is expected to bring about 1,000
jobs to the town. Remains of Wigan's links with the
Romans were discovered, including an ancient hypocaust.
A replica of this heating system has been created outside
one of the centre's entrances. There is also a display of
Wigan Casino memorabilia in the centre to commemorate
the popular northern soul dance hall.
Mr Sanson said: ‘We've revived redundant buildings and
hopefully a part of the town that was not looking its best.
There's still a massive interest in the Wigan Casino
because there were so many people involved with it from
the people that went to it to kids who seem to love it too.
There is a lot to celebrate about Wigan and we wanted to
make sure we did just that.’
And there is a lot to celebrate in Wigan. The people,
famed for their no nonsense attitude, the beautiful parks
and the music are just a few. As well as being home to
huge 90s indie band, The Verve, and Kajagoogoo's lead
singer, Limahl, there is also a strong schools music scene.
Keith Orrell, vocal projects leader for Wigan council's
music service, works with the Wigan Junior Youth Choir
and the Wigan Youth Choir who performed, complete with
African drumming, at St Stephen's Church.
This month he is involved with a huge event which marks the culmination of a school project, Let's Sing.
About 500 pupils from the Wigan borough will perform
at Robin Park Arena and Sports Centre on July 4. His
work is commended by local parents because it gives
their children something to get involved with and keeps
them busy.
Mr Orrell said: 'Let's Sing is aimed at improving the
confidence and singing of children and young people and
to maximise the fantastic feeling one can get at a massed
singing event. There have been lots of similar events in the
past months and there are also plans for the next
academic year.
'There are a lot of talented young people in Wigan and it is
good that we are able to celebrate that. It is part of my
grand plan to get as many young people as possible
involved in singing. Lets Sing is quite an event and it is
something I'm very much looking forward to. It is a great
event for Wigan to be involved with and a good opportunity
to celebrate the level of talent we have here.'