Grade II
Victoria Hotel
52 Wallgate, Wigan
Description
Hotel. 1894, by Heaton, Ralph & Heaton; altered. Aug 2015 - Undergoing restoration work
2020 - Restoration now completed.
The former Victoria Hotel at 52 Wallgate was built in 1894 to designs by the prominent Wigan architectural practice of Heaton, Ralph and Heaton. It probably replaced or enlarged an earlier Victoria Hotel recorded on Wallgate from at least the 1860s. Its yard contained the livery and bait stables of cab and coach proprietor James Brookwell.
Conveniently situated near Wigan’s two railway stations, the Victoria provided accommodation for commercial travellers and other visitors. The imposing Classical Revival building has three storeys over cellars, an eight-bay stuccoed frontage and an elaborate Tuscan entrance porch. Plaques associated with the Cyclists’ Touring Club and the Road and Path Cycling Association show that it was also recommended to touring cyclists.
Later known as Brunels Hotel and Bar, the ground floor became the late-night Venue bar in 2009. The hotel closed around 2016 and was subsequently converted into apartments with commercial accommodation on the ground floor.
The former hotel was designated Grade II in 1997 and remains an important element of Wallgate’s historic streetscape.
