A major visitor attraction for youngsters is to open in Wigan town centre within days.

Wigan Today exclusively revealed in February that the Imagine That! science and discovery centre, which has been a huge hit in Liverpool, was going to open a second – and much bigger – new hub in the famous former Marks and Spencer building on Standishgate.

Those behind the ambitious venture – which has created dozens of jobs – say they singled out Wigan because it is a town that is visibly undergoing a renaissance after years of retail doldrums, with the new Fettlers complex taking shape across the road, numerous redevelopments on Library Street and King Street and the success of the Cotton Works urban village near Wigan Pier which still has many phases to go.

Preparatory work had been going on at the premises for months before the announcement and since the blank canvas of the premises has been turned into a colourful and magical centre aimed at entertaining youngsters while subliminally educating them too.

Managing director Abby Wallace at Imagine That!

placeholder image — Managing director Abby Wallace at Imagine That!

Influencers were invited to take a sneak peek of the completed operation ahead of the official opening day on Saturday July 18.

And if the current Wavertree Imagine That! is anything to go by, it will very soon be bombarded with bookings from both families and schools.

The target range is under-10s but older children do have fun at the existing centre too.

The concept is the brainchild of Jeff Wallace. He said: “This has been a major project and with old buildings, things can crop up to be dealt with that you don’t expect and it sets you back a bit.

"Only the other day we had a flood from an air conditioning unit, but we are approaching the final hurdle now.

"The exciting moment has come and we can open Imagine That! Wigan up to the children. We are sure they'll love it. It looks great. It is colourful and big and there are lots of activities for the children to do.”

Ever since the original M&S premises’ closure in 2019, they have been a symbol of town centre decline, and even their temporary use for art displays failed to buoy local morale.

But there is great hope that Imagine That! will give the town a real boost.