Buildings of Interest

Description

“The Ashton in Makerfield UDC's Buildings, Highways & Streets Committee approved plans by the Park Lane Friendly Co-operative Society for “lock-up shops and show-rooms” at the corner of Gerard Street and Warrington Road on 6 February 1908 (Wigan Archives ref. UD Ash/A/A1/31). Designed by Wigan architects Heaton, Ralph & Heaton, the building was opened with great fanfare on 8 August 1909 as reported by The Wigan Observer-

'The celebrations were carried out on a scale in keeping with the object, and as a result, the members and friends had a thorough nine hours' enjoyment. A monster procession was formed at Bryn, the children being conveyed from distant parts by train, tram and wagonette. Led by the North Ashton Prize Band and a landau, in which were seated Mr John Lowe, Mr Thos. Simm, and Mr Thos. Hasleden, who were all veteran supporters and initiators of the movement in the district, the procession proceeded in the following order:- 2000 girls, St Thomas' Brass band, 1080 boys, Haydock Prize Band, the adult members and their wives to the number of 1000, and the Ashton Public Prize Band. The route was Wigan-road to the Library, down Old-road, past St Thomas' Church, into Warrington-lane, and round the new premises into Liverpool-road, and to the picturesque grounds of Garswood Hall which had been placed at the disposal of the Society by Lord Gerard. The adult members adjourned from the procession opposite the new buildings, and in the absence of the president, Mr Henry Smalley, Mr E Walkden, the secretary of the Education Committee, opened the subsequent proceedings. He called upon Mr Heaton of the firm of Heaton, Ralph and Heaton, who had had the sole direction of the erection of the buildings, to present to Mr Lowe, who was one of the promoters of the society as far back as 1877, and who had occupied the position of secretary ever since, a beautiful gold key.... Mr Heaton then made the presentation of the solid gold key, which bore a suitable inscription...'.

According to Seed's Wigan and District Directory for 1925-6 the Gerard Street store then included tailoring, drapery, grocery and boot and shoe departments.  The upper levels included a hall for meetings and social events, accessed by a separate entrance on Warrington Road. The hall was also licensed for use as a cinema, with capacity for up to 500 spectators.

Since the store's closure, the building has been divided into a number of separate retail units, offices and apartments. Apart from the signs indicating changes of occupancy, the view at street level remains similar to that seen in photographs taken in the 1920s and 1930s.”

Text and images by the Makerfield Rambler