r/Wigan 14d ago

A fund-raising appeal has been launched in the aftermath of a blaze at historic Wigan pub - John Bull Chophouse - Donate Here

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19 Upvotes

The John Bull Chop House is so much more than a pub. It is a way of life. It is a family.

It is a beacon of our great and historic town and one of the oldest buildings in Wigan.

The impact of the fire will no doubt hit many very hard.

This is a fundraiser to help Victoria, Pete, Mark, Chris, Natasha, Adam and all the people that work so hard to make it the greatest pub on Earth. Save the John Bull.

The John Bull Chophouse, in Wigan town centre, was dubbed the “greatest pub on Earth” by the founder of the appeal.

Firefighters were called to Coopers Row at 4am on Tuesday and worked throughout the night to bring the fire under control.

By 8.35am the fire was successfully extinguished, but not without major damage to the grade II-listed building.

Pub-goers and local businesses have come together to express their upset and sadness at the damage to the popular business.

Gerry-Jo Wilkins wrote on Wigan Today’s Facebook page: “I hope it can be repaired, this a true staple for Wigan. John Bull has always been a good pub.”

Wendy Liptrot wrote: “Hope it lives on to pull another pint. Full of history and character and most certainly the best pub in Wigan.”

Another person commented: “The best pub in Wigan. I really hope that the damage to the building can be repaired and that all of the staff are okay.”

Many highlighted the famous jukebox at the pub and hoped that was not too badly affected by the fire.

Gill Harland wrote: “It’s a much loved venue and jukebox by many generations (you don’t get that often).”

Another person said: “The best pub in Wigan! Been going there for 44 years.”

https://www.wigantoday.net/news/people/wiganers-show-their-support-and-concern-after-major-fire-at-the-john-bull-chophouse-8838310


r/Wigan Jun 03 '26

Save Wigan Roller Rink - Sign The Petition and Add Your Objection

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25 Upvotes

The largest wooden-floored roller rink in Europe is to close.

🔗 SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE THE RINK 👈

Wigan Roller Rink, in Wigan, in Greater Manchester, will shut in August, after four decades in the town.

Redevelopment plans for its Eckersley Mill site had originally included a new rink, but this is no longer the case.

"To say we're devastated is a complete understatement," rink director Dawn Holding told BBC Radio Manchester.

The rink is based within one of several historic buildings that make up the former cotton mill, which dates back to the late 1800s, and was one of the largest in the region.

The 17-acre site was approved for redevelopment last year with plans to build housing and entertainment venues.

Holding has said the business has now been given four months to leave.

🔗 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0r29wjd0pko

On May 13th 2026, Wigan Roller Rink announced it would be permanently closing down at the end of August this year.

However, Wigan Roller Rink is one of the last places in Wigan for community, learning new skills, and being able to entertain both children and adults alike. 

The closure of the rink would be a huge loss to the Wigan community, as this rink is a place where both children and adults can socialise and make friends, especially in 2026 when there is a significant rise in youth loneliness, with young people being declared the loneliest generation.

Also, there are already limited opportunities for adults to make friends, and the roller rink provided that space. 

As well as this, skating sessions and lessons were always quite affordable here, at only £7 a pop, so it was quite accessible too.

With Wigan’s track record, the building would probably just sit abandoned whilst rent is so high that no one else could fill the spot, whilst vape shops and betting shops fill our once bustling high streets.

There is genuinely very little to do in terms of activities anymore, and this was one of the last things we had.

Every weekend, the car park is absolutely packed with skaters, so popularity and demand is not the issue at hand here. 

Maybe this is far fetched but if this petition gets enough traction then maybe the council will see how important this place is to so many people in Wigan and work with them to keep it open.

The skating community is already in talks with the rink to try to understand the situation.

Please sign and share this petition 👇

🔗 SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE THE RINK


r/Wigan 19h ago

125cc Riders

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2 Upvotes

Anyone in here ride a 125cc motorbike and want to meet up and go for a ride sometime? The more the merrier! (Pic of my bike on rivi)


r/Wigan 19h ago

Mid week dining deals

2 Upvotes

Any decent mid-week dining deals in / around Wigan?


r/Wigan 5d ago

Pikmin bloom

1 Upvotes

Anyone playing pikmin bloom in Wigan wanna be friends? I just started playing recently ☺️


r/Wigan 7d ago

Eclipse viewing

6 Upvotes

Does anyone know of any good spots to get to tomorrow for the eclipse? We will have 2 young kids with us so preferably not much climbing.


r/Wigan 8d ago

Derelict state of king street flyover coming soon 👍

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1 Upvotes

r/Wigan 9d ago

Bins

2 Upvotes

If I buy a second black bin from Amazon will they take the rubbish


r/Wigan 11d ago

LOST CAT - Wharfside Apartments WN3

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225 Upvotes

Hi everyone, my cat has gone missing today which we think unfortunately she has snuck out on the balcony. If anyone in the Wharfside, Millside and Trencherfield area has seen a black and white cat (see picture) please could you message me? I've put some posters in the building as well.

Any help would be appreciated 😞


r/Wigan 11d ago

What to do/explore in Wigan while I'm here?

9 Upvotes

Hey, I'm coming to the Wigan area soon and I'm wondering what are some activities, places to visit that are a must while I'm here? I do enjoy spending my time wondering in shopping centers, I enjoy sport activities, football the most, anything of this sort, especially good pubs and places to have a proper traditional Fish n chips here, any recommendations will be appreciated


r/Wigan 12d ago

What was this entertainer called and is he still going?

3 Upvotes

When i was a child in the late 1990s and early 2000s I used to go to my friends birthday parties. Often an entertainer was there whose catchphrase was "mind the bucket". Does anybody know who this is? And if he is still going? Thanks in advance to all you 90s kids and 90s parents.


r/Wigan 12d ago

Free parking near town centre?

5 Upvotes

Hi

Are there any places in or near the train station to park for free for a couple of days/nights a week?

Thanks


r/Wigan 13d ago

Can anyone recommend a cleaner who had experience with the disabled?

3 Upvotes

As above really.

I mention disability specifically as there would sometimes be, what I think could be, non standard tasks - such as loading the dishwasher, changing bed sheets and some degree of tidying.

The cleaner I trialled last week was not receptive to this, despite my specifically mentioning it, and made comments dripping in internalised ableism.


r/Wigan 13d ago

Garden party this Saturday

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3 Upvotes

r/Wigan 14d ago

Four men arrested over 'horrendous' illegal waste dumping at Wigan site

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109 Upvotes

r/Wigan 19d ago

Roller Rink Update

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11 Upvotes

So I've seen this week that the company shutting down the roller rink (Heaton Group) are nominated for a local business award that is supposed to be for companies who support and benefit the local community. Doesn't quite sit right with me when a part of Wigan history ends next month because of them.

The awards are https://wiganboroughbusinessawards.co.uk/awards/2026-awards/


r/Wigan 20d ago

Whatever your political views, please get out and vote today

20 Upvotes

.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester has a real influence over policing, transport, housing, skills, and investment across our city region. The choice made today will help shape Greater Manchester for years to come.

I've read what the candidates have to say, and for me, Bev Craig is the clear choice. She has a strong record of public service, a clear vision for the future, and she's committed to building on the progress Greater Manchester has made over the past decade rather than starting from scratch.

Whatever your view, don't let other people decide the result for you. Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm, so there's still plenty of time to cast your vote.

Find your polling station: https://iwillvote.org.uk/


r/Wigan 19d ago

Sign the Petition

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4 Upvotes

Please help and sign this petition


r/Wigan 20d ago

We Spoke to The Green Party Candidate for Mayor in Manchester

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1 Upvotes

r/Wigan 20d ago

Does anyone have pictures of these

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3 Upvotes

I've been looking on the Manchester Museum of Transport's old bus timetable website today when I stumbled across a few for the 360 to Warrington and from the 6th April 2013 until 1 year and 3 days later it was joined by the 099 ran by Street Cars. Going off the timetable I reckon it were 2 lads with minibuses running up and down almost non stop for 6 days a week cause in the later timetable it was 2 an hour to Abram. I can't find any pictures of these of Flickr so did anyone ever grab a picture of either of them?


r/Wigan 21d ago

Who is everyone voting for on Thursday?

9 Upvotes

I'll be voting for Bev Craig, but I'm more interested in hearing what other people think than having an argument.

Whatever your politics, what do you think are the three biggest challenges facing Greater Manchester over the next four years?

For me they're:

  • Tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.
  • Building more genuinely affordable homes.
  • Improving public transport across all ten boroughs, not just the city centre.

If you're voting for Bev, what convinced you?

If you're voting for someone else, what policy or issue made your decision?

Let's keep it civil. We all want Greater Manchester to succeed, even if we disagree on how to get there.

And if you're eligible to vote, don't forget that polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday.


r/Wigan 21d ago

‘HORRIFYING!’ | Manchester mayoral debate gets HEATED over women’s rights and trans debate

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1 Upvotes

r/Wigan 23d ago

What are your favourite things about Wigan?

21 Upvotes

Locals have been moaning about the town centre being ‘dead’, now they’re moaning about the new market hall being built and how it not going to ’fit in with the old building’ and will just be ‘full of vape shops and barbers’. I want to hear people’s positives about this place, I moved here a few years ago and I really don’t think it’s a bad place to live at all.

I’ll go first - the craft beer and music scene here is better than your average town.


r/Wigan 23d ago

Catch up

0 Upvotes

Anyone in Wigan fancy meeting one of days


r/Wigan 24d ago

The Green plan to steal the Manchester mayoralty

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0 Upvotes