People flocked from all over the country to the canalside premises – soon to be reborn as a food and drink hall – to see how life was in Victorian and Edwardian times, helped along by a cast of actors.
Here are some of the many photographs taken over the years of the exhibits and people bringing the borough’s past to life and attracting more than 10 million visitors from when it opened in 1986 to its closure in 2007.
21. 1996
Retro 1996 - The new advert on Wigan's bus services is launched to promote the Wigan Pier tourist attraction Photo: gb
22. 2007
Pupils from Wharton Primary School in the school room. RETRO 2007 Photo: Nick Fairhurst
23. RETRO
A pit brow lass puts her back into it. Photo: Nick Fairhurst
24. RETRO
A time casket which was buried by Wigan school pupils at Wigan Pier on Wednesday 13th of March 1996 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the complex. Photo: Frank Orrell